April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
OUR NEIGHBORS' FAITH
Christian unity much-needed today
The theme is based on the words of the Hebrew prophet Micah (6: 6-8), who declared, "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Micah had proclaimed that God judged the rulers and leaders of ancient Israel because they had turned away from the covenant to be peaceful and merciful. Here are some of the ways the ancient rulers had oppressed others (see Micah 2:1-7): Landowners and religious and political leaders had abused their power and conspired to do evil, coveted and defrauded others of their property, stolen and plundered, hated good and loved evil, oppressed the poor, despised justice and distorted truth, accepted bribes, used their religious positions for profit, engaged in dishonest business practices, acted with violence and deceit and murdered their own people.
Modern history has seen many of these oppressive actions repeated in our nation and across the globe. Contemporary Christians are called to see the relevance of Micah's words and God's will in our daily lives.
Micah went on to state that it is not enough to bring sacrificial offerings to God, but to take three basic actions: "to do justice, to love kindness [mercy] and to walk humbly with our God."
We have ample sources of information about all the injustice and evil in the world. There is so much information via the media that we can often be overwhelmed into inaction.
It is not enough to be kept informed about injustice. Each one of us can select certain issues and take steps to provide our support and advocacy, by words and actions. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "It is better to light one little candle than to curse the darkness."
There are many important issues in our world about which we can speak out, even if we are limited to the comfort of our own home. One of the benefits of living in a free and open society, a true democracy, is that we have basic rights - and many subsequent responsibilities.
Many times, we as Christians can speak out and act on behalf of those who have no voice or no vote about their lives. It is impossible for each of us to become engaged in every important issue. Each of us can select those we are most concerned about and be willing to do justice for those less fortunate than ourselves.
We can take personal actions and we can encourage our representative public leaders to act, as well. Throughout my life, I have found specific areas about which I can keep informed, and have taken actions. With the development of the internet, all of us have vast means to learn and respond.
Christian churches throughout history have led many people to understand the needs of the oppressed and provide resources for help. As a Protestant, I have studied the social teachings of the Catholic Church as both inspiration and guide for many of my own actions. Most Protestant traditions share many of these same social teachings and there exists a vast area of common ground where we can continue to work together within ecumenical organizations.
Peace and non-violence have been at the forefront of my personal spiritual journey. Much of my growth and support has been based on many Catholic leaders and teachings for peace and justice.
Being kind or merciful is a major part of the core teachings of Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions. All three of the Abrahamic traditions share kindness and mercy as central in their scriptures and teachings.
The third part of Micah's message is, "to walk humbly with your God." Being humble does not mean accepting abuse or being subordinate to others, but seeing how each of us has a small part in the greater purpose and will of God.
Admitting that we are not superior to other people is to be humble. One of the basic principles of our nation, which is based on Judeo-Christian values, is that all are created equal. Equal rights and opportunities are protected by our Constitution and encouraged by our common faith traditions.
In conclusion, I share with you part of the prayers of intercession prepared for this year's observance: "Walking in conversation, let us recognize all the efforts of the ecumenical movement toward the realization of the unity willed by Christ for the church. Send your Spirit to strengthen our resolve and deepen our conversations to realize Jesus' prayer in us. Inflame in our hearts the desire to overcome all that divides us, so that we can see one Christ in our brokenness. Walking toward freedom, let us remember those facing discrimination. May the unity of the churches be a sign of hope in situations of injustice."
(Rev. Dr. Loesch is pastor of Zion's United Church of Christ in Sand Lake and the Protestant observer on the Albany Diocese's Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. For information about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and the Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute in Garrison, N.Y., visit www.geii.org.)[[In-content Ad]]
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