Friday 27 February 2009

Today we enter into King's conversation on nonviolent resistance.

A third way is open in our quest for freedom, namely, nonviolent resistance, that combines toughmindedness and tenderheartedness and avoids the complacency and do-nothingness of the softminded and the violence and bitterness of the hardhearted. My belief is that this method must guide our action in the present crisis in race relations. Through nonviolent resistance we shall be able to oppose the unjust system and at the same time love the perpetrators of the system. We must work passionately and unrelentingly for full stature as citizens, but may it never be said, my friends, that to gain it we used the inferior methods of falsehood, malice, hate, and violence.

King certainly points down a distinct path. Though he is speaking to those who were under the oppressive system of racism in our country, remember that this is also for all of us to hear. We are not a whole people...we are not a healed people...we are not a part of the shalom of God's Reign unless the welfare of all people is considered and we lean toward working for the liberation and care of all. That means we are all in the same boat and must be willing to walk the same path even when it appears as though we have everything and do not need anything. Yesterday I heard an very active advocate for the homeless brothers and sisters who are scattered around Franklin County. We usually hear of the fine work being done to house the homeless - and it is good. Unfortunately the numbers of homeless far exceeds the beds available in Columbus. He said that racism is still at the core of the shameless way we approach homelessness. So how do we seek out the welfare of all in this kind of real situation that is not far from our doors. One rabbi in town said that they wanted their synagogue to be used to help shelter the homeless during the winter months - use a wonderful building to do some good for people who could never pay anything back. They were told there was no need way out on the far east side. Our guest speaker smiled and pointed out that all around that immediate neighborhood there are popular campsites for the homeless - the woods and creek banks are the homes of the forgotten and rejected.

Connection: It takes an army of non-violent, tenderhearted people to step up to change the world. Most days, it is difficult to raise up one voice. And yet, we are called to rise up of saints of God.

You call us to be caretakers of your creation, O God. In too many ways we do not take responsibility for the care of the earth and the air and the water. Most alarming is that we do not take care of others who are created in your image but who have been cast out as being worth less than we might ourselves or the groups we long to enter. Continue to remind us of your love that is the ground for our actions in word and deed. Amen.