Shirley Erena Murray wrote the beautiful For Everyone Born” which has been sung by congregations for more than two decades. The refrain goes:
“and God will delight when we are creators
of justice and joy, compassion and peace:
yes, God will delight when we are creators
of justice, justice, and joy!”
I like to think God’s delight in us is unconditional and God is especially delighted when we are creators of justice and joy. With every breath, we have the opportunity to create a more just world. Sometimes it is as easy as a thought. More often, it takes some work.
Last month, the “Chat n Chew” Book Group – which meets every Tuesday at 1:30 pm on Zoom (see below) – read The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times by Michelle Obama. It is an inspiring memoir read about being vulnerable, striving to be better, and the peace that comes from honoring one’s own humanity and the humanity of others. As the saying goes, “Justice is not just us.”
I look forward to being with you Sunday at 10 am as we look at the challenging passage from Matthew 5:21-37. The inclination is to turn away from it, but that would also avoid a possible lesson. I know I need to learn something. How about you?
Come on along,
Rev. Michael Cronin
P.S. Keep our siblings in Turkey and Syria in your prayers of comfort and love. As I write to you, the earthquake death toll tops 12,000. Please also consider making a donation to the UCC appeal:
https://support.ucc.org/global-h-o-p-e/turkey-syria-emergency-appeal/donate?inf_contact_key=d4ea8129535f5f86eb47ab78bc563a8e09c74070ac2bf3cfa7869e3cfd4ff832