Brothers and Sisters of Christ,
I am grateful for the Word of God and even more so the Living Word–Jesus. When I’m confused, angry, hurt, afraid, I turn to scripture and prayer. I am never disappointed–although sometimes it is delayed based on my own self-righteousness getting in the way. These past few months and specifically the past week I have prayed and read continually.
On Tuesday, St. Luke’s joined others in a social media blackout. It was a way to encourage honest, reflective and productive conversation about what actions we need to collectively take to support the Black community.
George Floyd can no longer speak up for himself, so we as people of faith are called to do so.
Listen to what is found in the book of wisdom:
I am grateful for the Word of God and even more so the Living Word–Jesus. When I’m confused, angry, hurt, afraid, I turn to scripture and prayer. I am never disappointed–although sometimes it is delayed based on my own self-righteousness getting in the way. These past few months and specifically the past week I have prayed and read continually.
On Tuesday, St. Luke’s joined others in a social media blackout. It was a way to encourage honest, reflective and productive conversation about what actions we need to collectively take to support the Black community.
George Floyd can no longer speak up for himself, so we as people of faith are called to do so.
Listen to what is found in the book of wisdom:
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy". – Proverbs 31:8-9
Margaret Odell is professor of religion at St. Olaf College writes concerning the book of Amos, “The spheres of justice and righteousness are not solely God’s concern.” She continues quoting Martin Buber from his book The Prophetic Faith, “'...the divine righteousness desires to continue its operation in a human righteousness, and ... man’s fate depends on whether he submits to this will or denies it.’ establishes justice, and depending on the human response, it can become God’s ongoing, life-giving presence in the world, or it can pile up into a flood of destructive judgment.”
Thank you to all who have raised their voice, made a contribution to the immediate needs of the community, and have self-reflected upon their own impact to the inequities found in our society. Arguably everyone who is reading this post is doing so from a place of privilege. We often don’t see it in the mirror because we are constantly bombarded by advertisers stating we are not enough, we need more.
My Facebook post on May 24, was a response to the ongoing pandemic, “I think that when the dust settles, we will realize how little we need, how very much we actually have, and the true value of human connection.” It echoed even louder the following day.
Again, I look to scripture and pray. I trust that it was the Spirit at work inviting us to study The Letter to the Philippians, something decided when times seemed simpler at the beginning of the year. Paul’s letter spells out the way in which those who are in Christ ought to live. It is written to a Roman colony which gave its citizens great privileges, for they enjoyed considerable property and legal rights. It is a letter that speaks to us in this day and time.
Thank you to all who have raised their voice, made a contribution to the immediate needs of the community, and have self-reflected upon their own impact to the inequities found in our society. Arguably everyone who is reading this post is doing so from a place of privilege. We often don’t see it in the mirror because we are constantly bombarded by advertisers stating we are not enough, we need more.
My Facebook post on May 24, was a response to the ongoing pandemic, “I think that when the dust settles, we will realize how little we need, how very much we actually have, and the true value of human connection.” It echoed even louder the following day.
Again, I look to scripture and pray. I trust that it was the Spirit at work inviting us to study The Letter to the Philippians, something decided when times seemed simpler at the beginning of the year. Paul’s letter spells out the way in which those who are in Christ ought to live. It is written to a Roman colony which gave its citizens great privileges, for they enjoyed considerable property and legal rights. It is a letter that speaks to us in this day and time.
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interest of others.” Philippians 2:3-4
I invite you to not only join in our Sunday morning messages but prayerfully consider going deeper by participating in the weekly online Bible study, Wednesdays, June 17, 24, July 1, and July 15. There will be a session at both 1 PM and 6 PM.
Ongoing prayers and blessings,
Rob
Ongoing prayers and blessings,
Rob