We always want to start the week with good news, but it seems so scant in today’s world. Our news has been so focused on the November election, Gaza-Israeli violence and the Russian brutality in Ukraine that we’ve almost forgotten what lies to our south – Venezuela. What’s happening there will affect us
Not satisfied with declaring himself the winner, Maduro ordered the arrest of Edmundo Gonzalez, the 75-year old man who opposed him, now in Spain seeking asylum. In addition, the other opposition leaders, holed up in the Argentine Embassy are at risk because the Embassy is now surrounded by Maduro’s security forces.
Ten Latin American countries, both from the right and the left, have refused to recognize Maduro’s claim. Maduro has cancelled passports of opponents to prevent them from leaving the country. Thousands of protesters, including children, are in prison, some, including journalists, have been killed. Maduro has all the guns and has no qualms about using them.
Prayer for the Day
Oh, Lord, on what promises to be a beautiful day,
We look for respite from problems in the world;
Oh, God, still smelling the sweetness of summer,
The calm we want is disturbed by events around us.
Although we want you to quiet our souls, to give us respite,
We know that without justice, no one can rest.
In the name of the One who is always with us in our struggles,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
The repression we are seeing in Venezuela is shockingly brutal. Concerned governments need to take urgent steps to ensure that people are able to peacefully protest and that their vote is respected.
Juanita Goebertus, Americas director, Human Rights Watch
If you want to know what justice is, let injustice pursue you.
Eugenio Maria de Hostas, Puerto Rican educator, writer (1839-1903)
The wicked plot against the righteous, and gnash their teeth at them;
But the Lord laughs the wicked, for the Lord sees their day is coming
The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy
To kill those who walk uprightly;
Their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
Psalm 37: 12-15