Seekers on the Journey,
Most of us know the statement from the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident”, stating that certain truths are so obvious that they do not require proof. The idea of equality, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If a government isn’t securing the rights of its people, the people have the right to change it. Of course, this was written by white men for the benefit of white men with property. Married women were not allowed to own property or money, women were restricted from university education, and no woman was able to vote. Female responsibilities were in the home: raising children and tending to husbands. Black people were property and considered subhuman. Indigenous people were savages.
In this week’s Scripture John 18:33-37 for the Reign of Christ the King Sunday, Jesus stands before Pilate, who questions who he is. In verse 37 Jesus responds, ”I was born and came into the world for one purpose—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who seeks the truth hears my voice.”
We live in a world of competing truths and efforts to suppress truth. “The Greatest Story Ever Told” has been used to justify myriad bad behaviors promoting supersessionism, racism, misogyny, and homophobia, to name a few. In this time of book banning, denial of critical race theory, revisionist history, and an attempt to roll back the rights of targeted communities, it is most important to be reminded of what we are capable of and to remember not to ignore who is in charge. And to give thanks for who we are, what we have, and what we have to do.
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday on Balclutha, Zoom or Livestream at 10 am. Share with a friend.
In love, light, and truth,
Rev. Michael Cronin