Christian Reflection and Prayer

Psalm 146: 7b-10

7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
    and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
8 the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
    the Lord loves the righteous.
9 The Lord watches over the foreigner
    and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
    but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
10 The Lord reigns forever,
    your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord.

 

Reflection:

 

Recently I attended a forum discussion on
diversity.  When a dialogue on race began,
a participant said, :I don't see color.  My
immediate internal  response was, "You
don't see this sun-kissed God creation
sitting across the aisle?"  The participant's
statement is often a way to avoid
acknowledging personal biases toward
African Americans.  Talking about race does
not mean there has to be a negative
confrontation.  Christians are often prisoners
to historical myths and preconceptions about
people from different cultures and ethnicities. 
People want to be respected, seen and
acknowledged.  We marginalize and oppress
people when we deny their existence as
human beings created by a holy God.

 

     "The Lord sets the prisoners free;  the Lord
opens the eyes of the blind, the Lord lifts up
those who are bowed down;  the Lord loves
the righteous: (vv. 7b-8)

 

Prayer:

 

Lord, we are all created in your image.  Liberate
us from being blind seers and help us see our
sisters and brothers.  And forgive us when we
do not see all of your creation as good.  Amen

 

(from the Covenant Home Altar, Velda R. Love, author)