Christian Reflection and Prayer

In his final sermon, Jesus focused on the plights of
vulnerable, marginalized, and targeted people groups:
the hungry, the thirsty, the sick, the immigrant, the
imprisoned, and the destitute. Jesus identifies with
them saying: “Whatever you did for one of the least
of these you did for me.” Then he calls the faithful to
work toward their equitable inclusion in society—in
essence, to protect the image of God in them—to
protect marginalized people’s divine call to help
steward the world. In a democracy, the most basic
way citizens steward the world is by exercising
one’s right to vote

 

You know many people say that it doesn't matter who you
vote for, just that you vote.  Their wrong it does make
a difference.

 

I have one request.  When you vote ask yourself this question.
WWJD   WHAT WOULD JESUS DO.

When you vote, vote not only as an American but as a person
of Faith!

 

I just voted and I will tell you this much-----I did not vote for
Donald Trump.

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)

Scripture:

 

Psalm 146: 1-7a

Praise the Lord.
1. Praise the Lord, my soul.
2 I will praise the Lord all my life;
    I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
3 Do not put your trust in princes,
    in human beings, who cannot save.
4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
    on that very day their plans come to nothing.
5 Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is in the Lord their God.
6 He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
    the sea, and everything in them—
    he remains faithful forever.
7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed(N)
    and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,

 

Reflection

 

The chorus to one of my favorite gospel songs from
childhood starts, "God is the joy and the strength of
my life, removes all pain, misery, and strife.  He
promised to keep me, never to leave me.  He'll never,
never fall short of his word."  This song lifts my soul
and provides me with a reason to praise God at all
times.

 

     The psalmist encourages us to praise the Lord. 
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.  African
descended people are not always able to experience
the goodness, joy, and peace of God because of
racial oppression and continuing acts of injustice. 
But despite the long history of racism, we are still
able to praise God because God created us in God's
likeness and image as taught by our ancestors
through God's word.

 

     God did not create race, racism, and oppression. 
God created humanity equal and good;  God is the
maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything
in them----God remains faithful forever.  God upholds
the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the
hungry.

 

Prayer:

 

God, thank you for being my all and all.   AMEN

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