Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture Amos 6: 1, 3-7 (NIV)

6 1.Woe to you(A) who are complacent(B) in Zion,
    and to you who feel secure(C) on Mount Samaria,(D)
you notable men of the foremost nation,
    to whom the people of Israel come!
4. You lie on beds adorned with ivory
    and lounge on your couches.(A)
You dine on choice lambs
    and fattened calves.(B)
5
You strum away on your harps(C) like David
    and improvise on musical instruments.(D)
6
You drink wine(E) by the bowlful
    and use the finest lotions,
    but you do not grieve(F) over the ruin of Joseph.(G)
7
Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile;(H)
    your feasting and lounging will end.

 

Reflection:

 

In a recent news story about wages in America a
reporter asked some one if the minimum wage
should be increased to $15.00 an hour, which
translates to about $31,200 per year for a family
of four.  The respondent said no, that would ruin
the economy.  Later I learned the respondent was
single and makes $30,000 a month--or $360,000
per year.  This kind of thinking is a clear indication
that the practices of the wealthy and even the
middle class are at the expense of the poor.

     Oppressing the poor is a violation of God's
intention for creation, and the injustice must be
addressed.  Exploiting the poor is not just in wages.
 It extends to the us of their land, the slave labor of
women and children, and any abuses of or harm
done to the natural environment.  "alas for those who
lie on beds of ivory and lounge on their couches ....
but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!"(vv.4,6). 
How am I contributing to the exploitation of the poor
in the expense of my own lifestyle?

 

Prayer:

 

Lord I want to advocate and stand with sisters and
brothers who deserve living wages.  Help me to keep. 
Help me to keep my focus on people, not profit.  
Amen

 

(Covenant Home Altar Velda R. Love author)

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)