RBWords - Volume 32 - Number 6: June 2019
Something to Think About
R.B.WORDS – VOLUME 32 – NUMBER 6 – JUNE 2020
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SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT-
As we approach the celebration of the 4th of July, there are many things to think about. The COVID-19 (corona virus) pandemic will definitely put a damper on some celebrations. It continues to put a damper on worship communities. (Now some church officials are worried that folks will get too used to online liturgy!) As far as I can tell, Amazon has not yet found a way to send sacraments by drone or UPS! And, as if the troubles of the virus weren’t enough, our nation has been in turmoil over race relations and law enforcement, with demonstrations almost daily around the country, triggered by a number of tragic unnecessary deaths of African-American citizens at the hands of Anglo law enforcement officers. What the virus and the deaths/protests have revealed to us as a nation is not pretty. Our health care system and law enforcement culture are being shown to be seriously flawed, despite the heroic efforts of great health care providers and dedicated police officers. Systemic change is being demanded in ways not experienced before, and political leadership seems to be running for cover!
Whatever the causes of these two major concerns may be (and the blame game is in full swing), it is a time for faith and a determined effort to find a healthy way forward. Plagues and racism have unfortunately been a regular part of our history from the very beginning. While we need to support one another with our religious faith and our scientific/cultural strengths and achievements on this 4th of July, we should also humbly confess our faults and move forward with resolution to discover a “new” normal!! God will do God’s part but we have to do ours as well! IT’S SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.
It Has Been Said
Jesus says, “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him …take up his cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24). He does not say “Make a cross” or “Look for a cross.” Each of us has a cross to carry. There is not need to make one or look for one. The cross we have is hard enough for us! But are we willing to take it up, to accept it as our cross? Maybe we can’t study, maybe we are handicapped, maybe we suffer from depression, maybe experience conflicts in our families, maybe we are victims of violence or abuse. We didn’t choose any of it, but these things are our crosses. We can ignore them, reject them, refuse them or hate them. But we can also take up these crosses and follow Jesus with them.
Henri Nouwen in BREAD FOR THE JOURNEY