Almighty God!
Holy
Scripture speaks. Clearly. Succinctly.
Let
us make mankind in our image, in our likeness...
(God,
Genesis 1:26)
I
now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism...
(St.
Peter, Acts 10:34)
Kingdom
values: EACH and EVERY ONE of us is made in your image, and you don't play
favorites...which birthed the American ideal "that all men are created
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
Rights." (Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence)
But
Lady Liberty's limbs seem weak and brittle of late. We are a nation that nurses
its grudges, bereft of tolerance and optimism.
We
are intent on reliving the Civil War - that my forbears lost 152 years ago.
We
deny the lingering damage of slavery and American apartheid - that spanned
three and a half centuries.
We
rebut current day discrimination in policing and criminal sentencing - that has
devastated families and communities of color.
All
the while, resentment, meanness and disrespect are unleashed on social media.
Hope and grace wane.
Rise
up, O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long. Do
not ignore the clamor of your adversaries, the uproar of your enemies, which
rises continually.
(Psalm
74:23-24)
Holy
Spirit, unleash the mighty wind, the tongues like fire. (Acts 2:2-3, KJV) Fill
your people with hope and grace that we might rise up to defend your cause - in
love. Amen.
