June 6, 2020
Five Reasons I can know that Black Lives Matter:
#1 – The prophetic call for action to end the suffering of those who are being oppressed and to pursue justice is found in scripture: We hear it in the voices of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, and Micah, just to name a few... "Learn to do good. Seek Justice. Help the Oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow." Isaiah 1:17 (CEB)
#2 – Over and over, we see Jesus, and the disciples, paying attention to a particular person or group of people who have been marginalized or outcast. This is not a devaluing of others’ lives, but a needed and necessary acknowledgement of the sacred worth of particular lives which was being denied at the time. #samaritansmatter #taxcollectorsmatter #gentilesmatter #eunuchsmatter
#3 – To acknowledge publicly that Black livse matter to ME personally- is a form of repentance.
It means acknowledging that far too often we have failed, in word and deed, to say that they DO matter, especially at those times when they most needed us to stand up and speak out.
We remember our United Methodist liturgy of confession says: “We have not loved our neighbors. We have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray.”
#4 – To all who follow Christ Jesus, he tells us: “Deny Yourself” not “Justify Yourself.”
Now is the time to check our privilege. To be grateful for those who lead the way to true equality. To elevate and amplify the voices and experiences of persons whose stories need to be heard right now.
And also to pray for the kingdom of God to be on Earth now through us.
#5 – Jesus prayed “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done” – This is a groundbreaking moment in our history where we have the opportunity to participate in a movement that draws us closer to the reality of God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
And I don’t know about you, but I don't want to miss it.
-Jen
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