The Pastor’s Pen

Dear Ones,

As I sit to write this newsletter article over a week before you will read it, I cannot imagine what the state of the world and our nation will be. I know that many of you are worried about the unresolved conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. Many are concerned about attacks upon citizens and non-citizens by our own federal government as well as by non-government individuals and groups. Most of us are concerned about the assault upon people’s freedoms and constitutional rights: especially the rights of women, people of non-European ancestry, LGBTQ+ individuals and communities, and the rights of all to publicly stand with and advocate for any of these neighbors of ours. What are we to do when our cries and outrage seem to fall on deaf ears? What are we to do when hope seems lost?

I have been reading the Psalms lately and I recommend that to you as well. Many of the psalms cry out to God to take notice and to act. “I will extol you, O LORD;” I call upon you, O LORD;” “With my voice, I cry out to the LORD;” “Hear my prayer, O LORD;” are how several begin. The Psalmist continues: “Guard me from the hands of the wicked;” “Save me from my persecutors;” “Teach me the way I should go;” “Do not hide your face from me;” “Answer me quickly, O LORD;” and so on. When I read these prayers, these poems, these songs, I feel that I am not alone in my hurt, my outrage, my confusion, and my frustration with the world and with many around me. I am reminded that many others have experienced the world in similar ways and in worse times. Does reading and praying the Psalms change the world around me? By itself, no. But these prayers remind us that the world always has challenges; always has powerful ones oppressing and harming those with less power. Reading and praying the Psalms fortifies me to take care of myself and loved ones as best I can, and to speak up and act for those the Bible tells us need us most: the poor, the oppressed, the foreigner in our midst, the hurting and ailing, children, and women.

Jesus taught us to love our neighbors, even enemies, and to do for others who cannot do for themselves. And while he famously said to Judas that there will always be poor ones who need help, he didn’t say don’t help those whom you can. Those who want to be selfish, those who want to be mean or cruel, those who want to be oppressive have been around for a long time. And while it seems that these ones are ascendent these days, the Bible tells us that the arc of salvation history (God working in the world) bends toward justice. What makes that arc bend? People do: people of faith and hope; people with a moral compass who know God didn’t come into the world for the benefit of a few, but rather, for all. And so, I pray you will keep the faith and nurture it in yourself and loved ones. Come together to praise God when you can. Pray often, for yourself and others (don’t forget those Psalms). Do not avert your eyes from the evil. Take opportunities to stand up and speak up with others for what is right, and fair, and just. And never forget whose side God is on, because that’s the side we should be on.

Remember that we are all beloved children of God, dear ones,