During the week between Palm Sunday and Jesus’ death on Friday, he went about preaching and teaching people. Luke’s Gospel tells us how he railed against those in authority who used their positions of power to live well beyond the means of the people they were supposed to serve.
In much the same way many of those in authority, as it were, use their positions to seek and obtain perks for themselves while ignoring the real needs of the people who elected them to serve. And just as the religious leadership of Jesus’ day worked to obstruct any improvement in the lives of the people, so we have politicians who do much the same.
We, too, have our prophets who speak truth to power but just as in Jesus’ time many did not understand, we have much the same problem today. It’s disheartening but at the same time, we cannot give up the hope that we can be instruments of change, no matter how little.
Prayer for the Day
You, who accompanies us in our lives, move us beyond despair,
For the world never seems to change from the idols it worships;
You, who can free us from the feeling of being trapped by powers,
Help us to realize that your power is what matters.
Open us to your Spirit and empower us to live in your grace
Enabling us to participate in the building of your realm of justice and mercy
In the name of him who came to show us how to live,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
We need, in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers. Our power is in our ability to make things unworkable. The only weapon we have is our bodies. And we need to tuck them in places so wheels don't turn.
- Bayard Rustin, civil rights leader (1912-1987)
Activism is my rent for living on the planet.
- Alice Walker, American author and playwright
In the hearing of all the people, Jesus said to the disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to have the best seats in the synagogues and laces of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
Luke 20: 45-47