HEIRS OF ABRAHAM AND RACIAL JUSTICE

Solidarity not charity: Why not-for-profits are shifting their ...And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.  Galatians 3:29 (NRSV)

 When Paul wrote to these words to the Galatians, it was to assure them that they didn't need to first become Jews to be Christians.  Abraham had put his faith in God and God's promises, and since the Galatians had put their faith in God through Christ, they were counted among the descendants of Abraham and heirs to God's promises.

 It is during times like this that Christians and the Church are being called to own the missional imperative that is found in Genesis 12:2-3.

“I will make you into a great nation,
    and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
    and you will be a blessing...
3 ... and all peoples on earth
    will be blessed through you.”
               Genesis 12:2-3

 I am white, like 93% of the denomination I belong to.  I am privileged, fortunate, and I might even say powerful.  Not because of anything I have done, but simply because of the circumstances I was born into.  Many of us in my situation gratefully claim that we are blessed.  Lately, however,  I'm seriously questioning whether I and my church are a blessing to all peoples on the earth.

 I confess that I have been hiding away in my comfort zone of in-action behind the cliche' of "all lives matter."  I can no longer ignore the truth that, when it comes to justice, equality and respect for human life, the lives of brown and black peoples don't matter.  The reaction of anger, deep pain and frustration we have recently seen is certainly a sign racial hatred and injustice have gone too far.  It's a call to action for change.

 While it is heartening to hear of the reforms police departments are beginning to put into place, I don't believe that that police reform will make a significant change in the situation.  Police brutality is a symptom, not the root of a problem that is global, systematic and institutionalized.  

 I believe that such a time for this calls us as Christians and the Body of Christ to become the conscience of our country and act as agents of transformational justice in partnership with people of color in our communities.

 As a Christian, I'm pretty good at blessing others through acts of charity.  That's probably true for many of us well-intentioned folks.  However, what is needed now is blessing people, not through charitable giving and actions, but to stand in solidarity with our black and brown neighbors and advocating for the end of racial hatred and injustice.

 But how to begin ... 

 As demonstrated by the United Methodist church-wide service of lament over racial injustice, It begins with prayer.
  • Lament -- Whether as individuals or in groups withing our churches, listen compassionately to the voices and the stories of those have been impacted by racial hatred.  Acknowledge and share their grief and pain.
  • Confession -- Identify admit to God and one another how we ourselves and our churches may have purposefully or unintentionally contributed to the systematization of injustice and prejudice.  Pray not only for forgiveness but also for God's healing of our unloving attitudes and actions.
  • Intercession -- pray for those who have been victimized, for advocates and protesters, for those who commit acts of hate and violence, for leaders in our churches and at all levels of government.
  • Pray for God's leading, for God to open doors to form relationships in our communities, for ways we go beyond charity and move to solidarity.  Pray for boldness and courage.
John Wesley said that every commandment God gives comes with a promise.  God will be with us, and God will provide what we need.  With the grace of God, we can answer God's summons to be a blessing to all people.



"The Summons"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiXnbOORTAU

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