| It is now the third week
since the tragic events of September 11th that left our whole world in
shock, chaos and grief. We linger in our sorrow, asking difficult questions,
while acknowledging the enormity of the principalities and powers of evil.
Yet, as each day passes, we also reclaim our faith and who we, as disciples
of Jesus Christ, are called to be: people of hope in the face of
despair; a people of love in the face of hatred; and a people of abundant
and resurrected life in the face of death.
What is it that God requires of
us NOW? The prophet Micah rehearses an answer in a single verse of
scripture.
This is what God
asks of you:
only this, to do justice,
to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your
God. (Micah 6:8)
Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
incarnated this mandate when he lived among us. I believe it is the
only way that will offer solution and survival to our global village.
And so, in the aftermath of terrorism, destruction and death, I implore
you....
to do justice....
What is justice? In light
of world events, do we not need to redefine our understanding of justice?
It can no longer be an “eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”. If
civilization is to survive, retribution must cease. As Hannah Arendt
observed, “The practice of violence, like all action, changes the world,
but the most probable change is to a more violent world.” Justice
can no longer mean revenge and more violence. Justice must transform
power and social systems; call for holy listening; and be restorative as
it seeks healing rather than more violence.
to love mercy....
My favorite paraphrase of this
admonition is “to love tenderly”. Jesus calls us not only to love
our neighbor but our enemy as well. To love tenderly is to love another
with such mindfulness that we are aware of their capacity to be wounded
or to suffer pain. Like God’s love, it is unconditional. Such
love is tenaciously tender as it manifests itself, not in sentimentality,
but in justice.
to walk humbly with God....
Walking suggests movement.
It is good to love and adore God; to put our complete trust in the One
who loves us. And then we must walk with our God and actively participate
in the ongoing realization of God’s reign. Every deed of care and
compassion; every word of hope; every act of nonviolence; every gesture
of peace define our humble, awe-filled walk with God.
May God bless us as we endeavor
to so live.
With faith, hope and love,
Rev.
Susan Morrison
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