Called to Stand Up

The love of Jesus calls us in swiftly changing days,

To be God’s co-creators in new and wondrous ways;

That God with men and women may so transform the earth,

That love and peace and justice may give God’s kingdom birth.

---Herbert O'Driscoll

“What are you waiting for?” “Don’t just stand there --- DO something!” “Get a move on!” We are all familiar with these statements, or with sentiments like them, but maybe not related to the coming of the kingdom of God. When it comes to the kingdom, if you are like me, the verb that most readily comes to mind is ‘wait’. Now, on a scale of 1 to Make it Happen, ‘wait’ would seem to rate pretty low when it comes to action. Is there a way to wait and take action simultaneously?

Our lectionary Gospel readings this month have been from Matthew 25 (the prepared and unprepared bridesmaids, the managers of the talents, the sheep and the goats), and have highlighted the dynamic tension between waiting and working for the kingdom come. These stories illustrate how active our participation is to be in the ushering in of the new kingdom --- we are invited to be partners with God in unleashing love, peace, and justice on society to pave the way for the coming kingdom!

Now, action should come with a caution sign --- those who choose to partner with God often find themselves at odds with 'go along to get along' society, and Godself in Jesus ended up crucified for rocking the status quo boat. In the end, though, we are not called to count the risk; we are called to stand up. 

We might just have a hand in midwifing something new---all about love, and justice, and peace.

---Leigh Anne

Happy Birthday to My Favorite Radical

O holy night! The starts are brightly shining, it is the night of our dear Savior's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Truly he taught us to love one another, his law is love and his gospel is peace.
Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother, 
And in his name ALL oppression shall cease.

The beloved French carol from the mid-19th century, 'Cantique de Noel', lays bare any comfortable, status quo message contained in the typical Christmas card. The Baby born today brought no message of "atta boy" and "You're doing a heckuva job, Brownie". The birth of this Baby, instead, was a clarion call for the turning of the world; and not a thing would ever be the same. With the break of a new morning, the old day passed away. With Jesus' birth, the value of each soul was upheld, and treating all people as sisters and brothers transformed relationships and communities. As easy as it is to see how popular this carol would have been with 19th century abolitionists, we give ourselves too much credit, perhaps, to think that our 21st century society values everyone equally. Who are the people we see as unclean, unworthy, or just a little too 'out there' to be included in the number of God's family today? What oppression is there yet to cease? And what is our responsibility in ending that oppression? No gospel for the weak of constitution, the message from this Baby-turned-radical. Lord, I want to be in that number!

So, happy birthday, Jesus! You will always be my favorite radical.