By Rev. Michelle Allen, Pastor for Leader Care and Development
I dared to read a few headlines this morning before I began my work for the day; the news remains disheartening: more cuts to programs that support the working class; continued natural disasters like the 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Alaska; new horror stories about ICE raids and conditions at their detention center in Florida. It all feels daunting; overwhelming; even hopeless.
And. (There’s always an “and.”)
We are followers of Jesus the Christ, God in human flesh, anointed to lead God’s people to reconciliation, justice, and peace. And Jesus faced similar devastation in his time on earth: paucity and pestilence; eighty to ninety percent of the population living at or below subsistence level; abuse of the marginalized by those in power.
And.
How did Jesus respond? He prayed regularly; he called out injustice as he preached grace and love; he broke bread with his friends and neighbors; he shared all that he had and all that he was; he offered healing and hope.
And.
We are called to do the same. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8) Of course, this was not easy for Jesus. Ultimately harder, even, that it is for most of us.
And.
The goal is still the same: full communion with God and with one another. ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. (Matthew 22:37,38)
And.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:39) This is the reward as much as the aim: to be truly, truly united with the Divine and the image of the Divine that we find in each other. To revel in pure mercy and grace. To abide in perfect love.
And.
This is not a pipe dream. God promises it will come. In fact, the reign of God is here. It feels ever so far away.
And.
It is now, and not yet.
And.
We have so much work to do in God’s name.
And.
So together we pray regularly; together we call out injustice as we preach grace and love; together we break bread with friends and neighbors; together we share all that we have and all that we are; together we offer healing and hope. Together we trudge on; together we follow Jesus. Together we seek full communion. Truly, truly together.
And….
