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Dear Friends,
Another week has gone by when our country seems to continue to tear itself apart. I don’t need to tell you what has been breaking our hearts in the news. The scripture readings from Sunday’s Revised Common Lectionary Readings seem to be written just for us, right now. They are:
Micah 6: 6-8
What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to seek kindness (or love mercy, depending on which Bible you read) and to walk humbly with your God?
Matthew’s Beatitudes, Chapter 5: 1-12:
Blessed are the poor in spirit...blessed are those who mourn...blessed are the peacemakers, and blessed are those who are persecuted for (Jesus’) name’s sake.
The Beatitudes, these well-known blessings, plain and simple, are making me cry. Blessings, upon blessings, and more blessings. We can soak them up like dry ground soaks up a gentle rain.
These beloved passages are reminders that everyone has a part in mending what is so deeply broken all around us. On the path of seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly, everyone has a different role. Some on the path are slower, some more experienced, some are fast and some less so. All have a place in the caravan, walking humbly, no one gets left behind, and no one, and I mean, no one (not even you, dear heart, as brilliant, talented, strong – AND good looking - as you are) has to walk the whole journey themself. Read that again if you need to.
Choose your blessing, choose your part in the web of compassion in which all of us exist, and upon which we all rely, and labor with joy. Your part may be calling legislators – even if it scares you, contributing a little extra to the food bank or working a volunteer shift, calling your friends and family to check up on them, protesting peacefully, taking a know your rights training, making music or poetry or art, or raising compassionate children and grandchildren. We all have a role to play in taking care of each other. You know the blessing you are and the blessing you need to receive.
Listen to your heart, pick up your blessing, and walk on.
Blessed are you,
Pastor Laura
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