Thursday January 28, 2021
One of the members of our church asked me, “What is wrong with us?” in response to the riot at the Capitol and the hateful speech that accompanied it. She phrased her question correctly because it is the “us” and not just the “them” we need to be concerned about. How have we let anger and hate become part of our everyday speech?
Although we may not personally have used words of anger, disaffection, or hate, we have learned to tolerate it in society at large. We have not called out such speech for what it is, perhaps because we are too polite or concerned that this unholy spewing will be turned against those of us who speak out.
A recent poll showed that almost 25 percent of Americans believe they have the right to overturn anything they oppose by violence, that no matter what, they have the right to have what they want. We, the polite and reticent ones, must take on this existential threat not just to our democracy but to our society.
Prayer for the Day
Aware that we live in troubling times, we seek your wisdom, O God,
For it seems as if unholy forces are overtaking our lives;
Dismayed by the deep fissures that affect our society,
We pray for discernment on how to address them, O Lord.
Empower us to become faithful witnesses for peace and justice
And teach us how to overcome the despair that leads to hate.
In the name of him who is our hope,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain.
- James Baldwin, American writer (1924-1987)
Faith and prayer are the vitamins of the soul; [we] cannot live in health without them.
- Mahalia Jackson, Gospel singer (1911-1972)
Rise up, O Lord; O God, life up your hand; do not forget the oppressed.
Why do the wicked renounce God, and say in their hearts, “You will not call us to account?”
But you do see! Indeed you do note trouble and grief,
That you may take it into your hands; the helpless commit themselves to you.
Psalm 10: 12-14