Thursday, 11 November, 2004

This week's devotions are written by Redeemer member John Caron.



To paraphrase a well-known test of Pascal, we can say that all the political theologies, the theologies of hope, of revolution, and of liberation, are not worth one act of genuine solidarity with exploited social classes. They are not worth one act of faith, love, and hope, comitted--in one way or another--in active participation to liberate [humanity] from everthing that dehumanizes [people] and prevents [them] from living according to the will of the Father.

Gustavo Gutierrez

A Theology of Liberation

For those of us who have endured the latest round of political elections in the U.S., we say candidates from all parties using well-chosen faith language in order to convence church-going people to vote them into office. Gutierrez points to the fact that Christian faith is expressed not in words, but in actions of solidarity with the oppressed. The Church has often been criticized for being hgih on ideals but low on actions. In fact, well spoken preachers can make their followers feel as if they have done huge acts of faith, simply by being "pew potatoes."



Connection: A challenge for this day is to look for one concrete way to express your faith through actions on behalf of one who is marginalized from society. It may be a gift of time, of money, of advocacy. Instead of passively allowing politics to coopt the teachings of the Church, find ways to express the faith in actions that leave no doubt that the grace of God is active in the world today.



Prayer: Help us to speak the Gospel in our acts as well as our words. May what we do reflect whose we are. Amen.