January 18, 2023
Dear Congregation,
As I write to you today, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins and runs through January 25th. "Do good; seek justice." Isaiah 1:17 is this year’s theme. It was selected by the Minnesota Council of Churches, USA, in the aftermath of the extrajudicial killing of George Floyd and the trial of the police officer responsible for his death. As stated in the MCC’s promotional materials, “These events brought anguish, but also time for the Christian communities to contemplate ways in which they may be complicit in racial injustice. Christian unity is needed as a source of reconciliation and unity.
The theme, taken from the first chapter of the Book of Isaiah, reflects his concern for the oppressed who suffer from injustice and inequality fed by hypocrisy that leads to disunity. He teaches that God requires righteousness and justice from all of us, to create the peace and unity that God desires. These virtues originate in God's love for all, and racism runs counter to this vision. Isaiah's challenge to do good and seek justice together applies equally to us today.”
I share with you this meditation and prayer for reflection on the theme from the WCC.
Isaiah 1:12-18, Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan; plead for the widow.
Luke 10:25-36, He asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
Meditation
According to Isaiah, God wants Judah not only to practice justice but to embrace the principle of always doing the right thing. God wants us not only to care for orphans and widows but to do what is right and good for them and anyone marginalized by society. The Hebrew word for good is yaw-tab' and it means to be glad, joyful, pleasing, to do well, to make something beautiful.
To be Christian means to be a disciple. All Christians sit under the Word of God, learning together what it is to do good, and who it is that stands in need of this solidarity. As society becomes more indifferent to the needs of others, we, as the children of God, must learn to take up the cause of our oppressed brothers and sisters by speaking truth to power and if necessary, plead their case so that they may live in peace with justice. In doing this we will always do the right thing!
Our commitment to eradicate and to be healed of the sin of racism requires us to be prepared and willing to be in relationship with our Christian sisters and brothers.
Prayer Lord, you called your people from slavery into freedom. Give us strength and courage to seek out those who are standing in need of justice. allow us to see this need and provide help, and through your Holy Spirit gather us into the one fold of Jesus Christ, our Shepherd. Amen.”
I hope to see you Sunday in worship in the Sanctuary or on Facebook.
May God bless you and CCC and help us as individuals and as a church to “Do good” and “Seek justice!”
In Christ’s love.
Pastor Candy
