Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ!
We find ourselves at a time when race is being discussed and debated in a variety of places. Much of this talk is heated as passions and experiences clash. The voices in our social media echo-chambers have escalated tempers and blood pressures.
At their heart, race issues have components of social justice. Inequalities between races are painfully rooted in historic and personal experiences that are themselves unequal. Listening and learning across differences and racial lines is sorely needed. Yet, our politically divided context seems to thwart such meaningful conversations.
It is no wonder that many people want things to just settle down. Let’s regain order and move onward. Unfortunately, such an approach does little to create conditions for lasting peace. Those with privilege and options never have to confront the underlying causes of racial discord while those who suffer from the injustices never experience equality and justice.
From a Christian perspective, issues of justice and peace go together. Jesus sought to bring about the kingdom of God through his preaching and teaching through forming communities of love. Love creates a space where God’s justice and peace reigns for all people.
During the Baptismal liturgy, we welcome the newly baptized into the community that carries on Jesus’s creative and redeeming work to all the worship. As church, God calls us to work for justice and peace in our world. With the racial unrest in the Twin Cities - the world has become our backyard.
But how do we do this? It seems too big an issue and a messy one at that! How should we advocate for justice and peace during a time of protests, violence, and angry voices? How can we support changes for good in the political realm when we can’t see eye to eye on matters of politics? Which changes align most with our Christian values and which are merely the agendas of political parties vying for power?
Might I suggest taking a couple of steps backward? Although I agree that we need to adjust policies, practices, and systems in a communal pursuit of justice, there is also a need for us to look in the mirror. Perhaps, personal adjustment is a first step in a larger journey.
Each of us have experiences, opinions, and biases when it comes to race. Even if we try to be ‘color blind’ we cannot escape the social conditioning that has formed our racial perspectives. Whether we want to admit it or not, our race has either worked towards or against our benefit in a culture that continues to treat folks unequally.
Awareness of how race affects us is important in any personal pursuit of justice and peace. When we recognize our prejudices and our contributions (whether intentional or not) to injustice, we can begin to adjust our words and actions.
To that end, I am grateful for an opportunity that will be happening at St. James starting on Monday, May 10. Dave Fuerst will be leading a book discussion of Ibram Kendi’s book, “How to be an Anti-racist.” I am looking forward to attending as a participant. Dave is a skilled presenter with experience of fostering thought-provoking conversation. His work with Lutheran World Relief has taken him all over the world, engaging many different cultures and experience. I invite you to check out both the book and this much needed conversation (which will be held outdoors, weather permitting). For more details (click here).
I pray that this weekly ministry moment finds you safe, healthy, and in good spirits. Looking towards waving to you this Sunday in worship, whether that is at the Drive-In (8:00 a.m.), In-Person Hybrid (9:30 a.m.), Livestream online (9:30 a.m.), or our Online/Phone Communion (noon).
In Christ’s Light,
Pastor Walt