Tag Archives: Justice

Working Toward the Common Good

Ordinary Time

February 15, 2023

Scripture Reading: Psalm 2
Why do the nations conspire,
   and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
   and the rulers take counsel together,
   against the Lord and his anointed, saying,
‘Let us burst their bonds asunder,
   and cast their cords from us.’

He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord has them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
‘I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.’

I will tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to me, ‘You are my son;
   today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
   and the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron,
   and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.’

Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
   be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
   with trembling kiss his feet,
or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way;
   for his wrath is quickly kindled.

Happy are all who take refuge in him.

This was an interesting scripture to read in the beginning days of the Oklahoma Legislature’s 2023 Session. It always starts with many bills designed more to get legislators’ names in the news about hot-button issues rather than the difficult task of seeking common ground to provide the Common Good. Once the dust has settled, those 3,000 or so introduced bills will be culled down to a few hundred that each can make a major difference in our lives. I invite you to join me in praying for our elected officials as they move through this process.

Prayer: Lord, guide your people in working toward the Beloved Community as we participate in our civic duties working toward governance that provides for the Good of All. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Providing for the Common Good

Ordinary Time

February 13, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Exodus 24:12-18
The Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.’ So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. To the elders he had said, ‘Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.’

Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

Tracking bills in the state legislature and Congress over the years has become my advocation. It was part of my job when I worked, but now it is part of my advocacy work. God created the world out of chaos. We, the people, are challenged to follow God’s example by establishing laws and rules to maintain a peaceful and just world. Many of our laws are based on those ancient laws, from though shalt not kill to ensuring our food is safe to eat. Some of the Commandments involve our relationship with God. Others spell out issues of providing for the Common Good for everyone. Some are broad in nature, others very specific, and all are open to our interpretation.

Governments are created to provide for the Common Good. King David, as a monarch, was charged with caring for widows and orphans. He also oversaw a powerful army. Americans, through their constitution, established a representative democracy where the people are ultimately responsible for finding common ground for the Common Good.

Prayer: Lord, guide us in our discernment of what the Common Good is and help us hold our representatives accountable for providing the Common Good. Amen.

Called to Serve

Ordinary Time

February 10, 2023

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labor of each. For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building. –1 Corinthians 3:5-9

We are God’s servants. I have always loved the song He Lives! I serve a risen Savior; He’s in the world today. It simply states our purpose as Christ-followers, to serve the Lord in completing His mission of building the Beloved Community. We grow in trust and faith as we learn from the work of our ancestors and plan for a better world for our children. Paul tells us in the above scripture that works best when we work together. I am active in the Oklahoma Poor People’s Campaign. Facing the challenges in our society in such a time as this is overwhelming. We do our best work when we do the part we are good at and work closely in supporting those with the knowledge and skills to bring about change in other areas.

Paul stands with us in being a servant, but he directs us specifically to be God’s field and God’s building*. Paul was a traveling minister, a planter of seeds; we are the field that must make the teachings he shared with us come to fruition throughout the whole world. We are the ones called to be the church**, not necessarily a building made of brick and mortar, but a community of faith that can meet together and support each other in using our diverse skills and talents to foster God’s commandment to develop a world ruled by love.

Prayer: Lord, help us each to perfect our skills and talents to serve you better, and teach us to work together so that your synergy expands all that we attempt to do. Amen.

*oikodomḗ – properly, a building (edifice) serving as a home; (figuratively) constructive criticism and instruction that builds a person up to be the suitable dwelling place of God, i.e. where the Lord is “at home.” (https://biblehub.com/greek/3619.htm)

Ekklēsía (from 1537 /ek, “out from and to” and 2564 /kaléō, “to call”) – properly, people called out from the world and to God, the outcome being the Church (the mystical body of Christ) – i.e. the universal (total) body of believers whom God calls out from the world and into His eternal kingdom. (https://biblehub.com/greek/1577.htm)

Laws fulfilled

Ordinary Time

February 8, 2023

Scripture Reading: Psalm 119:1-8
Happy are those whose way is blameless,
   who walk in the law of the Lord.
Happy are those who keep his decrees,
   who seek him with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong,
   but walk in his ways.
You have commanded your precepts
   to be kept diligently.
O that my ways may be steadfast
   in keeping your statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame,
   having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart,
   when I learn your righteous ordinances.
I will observe your statutes;
   do not utterly forsake me.

We need to establish an eternal link between walking in the law of the Lord and seeking him with our whole hearts. That is the message Jesus brought to us. Matthew 5:17 tells us that Jesus said, ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. As Genesis described God creating the world out of chaos, laws and rules allow us to live within order designed to protect us and make our lives more meaningful when we do not need to live in the fear of the unknown.

Laws are made to be changed to adapt to modifications in our ways of living. We transitioned from rules regarding horse transportation to cars and trucks. I have always thought the law against eating pork was the equivalent of a health rule in our world today. Trichinosis is a deadly disease transmitted by eating pork. There was, thus, a good reason not to eat pork until we learned how to cook it to remove the microscopic parasite Trichinella. The original law was prudent for the time but could be revised once the culprit of the disease was destroyed. Some faith groups choose to continue to follow the Biblical instruction about not eating pork as a way of honoring God, and that is valid too. We must also now consider the admonitions of eating too much red meat for health reasons.

However, human-created laws can and sometimes work for sinister ends. In the USA, we live in a democracy ideally designed to give a voice to all its people in working for the Common Good. We, however, have seen laws that were created for the selfish gain of a few people or for forcing one’s values on others that have no link to the Common Good. That is when seeking God with our whole heart must bring our rules and laws into conformity with God’s love.

Prayer: Lord, help us carefully to discern, in carrying out our civic responsibilities, any laws or rules that do not follow God’s ultimate laws of Loving God, loving our neighbors as ourselves, and recognizing that final judgment belongs to God. Forgive us when we do not see that greed and lust for power are idols as much as any graven image 5000 years ago. Amen.

Doing Right

Ordinary Time

February 7, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Sirach 15:15-20
If you choose, you can keep the commandments,
   and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice.
He has placed before you fire and water;
   stretch out your hand for whichever you choose.
Before each person are life and death,
   and whichever one chooses will be given.
For great is the wisdom of the Lord;
   he is mighty in power and sees everything;
his eyes are on those who fear him,
   and he knows every human action.
He has not commanded anyone to be wicked,
   and he has not given anyone permission to sin.

The first phase of this scripture hit me square in the face, not so much about the Ten Commandments but more about choosing to do right in general. I guess that many of us were taught to do the basic Commandments before we started school. Loving God was a given, and we prayed at each meal to share our love and thanksgiving. Lying was definitely forbidden in my home; honoring our parents was important, as was not envying others, not stealing, and definitely not taking God’s name in vain. Honoring the Sabbath meant we showed up and fully participated at the church every time it was open, and only the very necessary work was done, like feeding the cows on Sunday. We had to grow a little older to understand idols and adultery.

Are we not called to do what is right, what is just in all aspects of our lives? There is no way we could write a book that included all the instances to tell how to do right in all situations. So, besides these universal Commandments, we are provided other sage advice to guide us in making the right decision. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. (Luke 6:31 and Matthew 7:12) Love your neighbor as you love yourself. (Mark 12:30-31) I think one of our problems with that one is we actually may be loving others as we love ourselves; we may not love ourselves. There is even help for that. We must learn to forgive ourselves as God forgives us. Once we realize we have sinned, we must do all we can to set it right, but then we must forgive ourselves and grow from the experience.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the broadness of your love as we grow in your wisdom and truth. Amen.

Lessons in Living in God’s Ways

Ordinary Time

February 1, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 112:1-9 (10)
Praise the Lord!
   Happy are those who fear the Lord,
   who greatly delight in his commandments.
Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
   the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in their houses,
   and their righteousness endures forever.
They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright;
   they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
It is well with those who deal generously and lend,
   who conduct their affairs with justice.
For the righteous will never be moved;
   they will be remembered forever.
They are not afraid of evil tidings;
   their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.
Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid;
   in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor;
   their righteousness endures forever;
   their horn is exalted in honor.
The wicked see it and are angry;
   they gnash their teeth and melt away;
   the desire of the wicked comes to nothing.

One of my best friends throughout public school died recently. We had not remained in close contact as our lives moved in different directions and locations. I touched base with her last when her mother died a few months ago. My friend’s death was a surprise. When I read this scripture, I recalled her obituary, which contained many of the same attributes described in this Psalm. She was blessed throughout her life with a comfortable income. Still, her time was invested in helping others. I quote from that obituary,

She was a friend to everyone; she had a heart for helping those in need. She was a prayer warrior for her family and others, a Bible study teacher, a Sunday school teacher, Stephens Minister, a volunteer for many organizations, and involved in endless activities. She would always remember special dates of family and friends with cards, calls, lunch, or dinner. She would also take meals to those in need who were going through hard times with health issues or loss of a loved one.

She was a role model from which all of us can learn.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for providing role models to help us find our way in a challenging world. Particularly, I thank you for the role model that my friend followed, and we all can follow, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Christ Crucified

Ordinary Time

January 26, 2023

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,
‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.’
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. –1 Corinthians 1:18-26

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. –John 15:13

The Greek language has several words that are translated into English as the word love. The Greek word Agápē* translated as love in this quote from John typically refers to divine love (= what God prefers). Christ crucified was and is an act of divine love expressing God’s preference that all God’s people know that God loves you and me and all people. As God loves all of us, God calls us to love one another. That simple statement, followed by the action necessary to fulfill it, is the keystone to abundant life. A keystone is the wedge-shaped piece at the crown of an arch especially: such a piece inserted last and locking the other pieces in place**.

John 10:10 tells us that Jesus said The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Is Paul saying to the Corinthians and to us that the wisdom of the world is that thief that comes only to steal and kill and destroy? Greed, lust for power, and bigotry are not what God prefers. I now think I must add violence to this list of the principalities and the powers that too often are pressing to overcome the power of love. Surely, we Christ-followers must account for our acceptance of violence as a routine part of life and become more vigilant in spreading God’s love to all people.

Prayer: Lord, do not ever let us grow in acceptance of violence as a normal part of life. Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/greek/26.htm

** https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/keystone

Sharing Love

Ordinary Time

January 24, 2023

Scripture Reading: Micah 6:1-8

‘With what shall I come before the Lord,
   and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings,
   with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
   with tens of thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
   the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’
He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
   and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
   and to walk humbly with your God? –Micah 6:6-8

Do we really understand that God calls us to a partnership with God and with one another to spread God’s love to all? Making a burnt offering, even using one of the finest sheep or bull, and then walking back into the culture of the world around us does not mean we have excepted the responsibility to fulfill our relationship with God. We are not called to bribe our way into God’s good graces. We are called to accept God’s gift of grace that enables us to be a conduit of God’s love creating the Beloved Community where each and all are persons of worth. Worship rituals can be very meaningful to our growth in faith, but such activities are never the final goal. The final goal is building that Beloved Community that includes all of God’s creation, and God tells us how to do that through the voice of the prophet Micah,

and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for sending us prophets to share the great challenge but the simplicity of loving like Jesus. Amen.

The Power of God’s Love

Ordinary Time

January 20, 2023

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. –1 Corinthians 1:18

The Greek word apollumi* translated here as perishing means absolute destruction, to come to a miserable end. While we may long for a second coming where all evil will be ended, death is the certainty we all face in real-time with the hope and faith that it is not the final answer.

We live and have our being in the meantime, and it is in the meantime that our focus must be. We are called to share the message about the cross so that those who are perishing because they are missing the faith, hope, and love of Christ can experience the love of God. Please note the language in this scripture describes the here and now, not a done deal. The people are described as perishing, not destroyed.

This is not just about individual salvation but also about systemic change resulting from our being the whole body of Christ worldwide. That starts for us in the USA in our communities, our states, and yes, our nation.

Benjamin Franklin spoke the words; Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.

Our country is perishing in various ways, and we as individuals and members of communities of faith,we are charged with bringing the same faith, hope, and love we know to reconcile the whole world to Christ’s amazing grace.

Prayer: Lord, open the doors of our hearts for sharing your love with others so that your amazing grace can influence outcomes for those with all kinds of needs across the world. Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/greek/622.htm

Wholeness/Oneness/Justice

A Covenantal Conversation on Church and State

Tag Archives: Justice

Working Toward the Common Good

Ordinary Time

Providing for the Common Good

Ordinary Time

Called to Serve

Ordinary Time

Laws fulfilled

Ordinary Time

Doing Right

Ordinary Time

Lessons in Living in God’s Ways

Ordinary Time

Christ Crucified

Ordinary Time

The Power of God’s Love

Ordinary Time