December 13

Reading Isaiah 61 during Advent reminds us to pay attention to the lessons of the prophets: imperialism and idolatry will fail; every empire that has ever existed has fallen, along with its leadership.  What is more, God is the center of this message. God sends the Holy Spirit to empower and encourage all of us to actively work on behalf of the oppressed, marginalized, and brokenhearted.

Isaiah is a book of prophesy from wise and anti-empire prophet.  Biblical scholar, Hyun Chul Paul Kim describes the leading motif in Isaiah as humanity’s inability to see or hear. “The people’s vision” he says, “is intoxicated with corruption, collusion with the empire, an overwhelming reliance on military weaponry and support for beliefs in being a national superpower. The rhetoric and ideologies of superiority were powerful and seductive. According to the text, seduction breeds complacency, silence, comfort, and exclusionary practices to support the privileged and status quo.”  The prophet’s words reach out to us in this moment with a similar message.  How is Isaiah calling us this Advent to conspire with the Holy Spirit in the work of liberation, restoration, and abundance?

Building up a just world for all is an invitation for people to believe in a God of Justice for all, and those who claim Christianity as their faith practice and identity are called to

BE JUSTICE—listening to and learning from and understanding one another.  In this year of God’s favor, let us proclaim: No More Racism and Dehumanizing Beliefs in White Supremacy and Christian Nationalism!

We are called to foster just relationships that are an extension of how we love and value ourselves, and then extend and practice justice towards all God’s people as valuable companions on life’s journey. In this year of God’s favor, let us proclaim: No More Xenophobia and Caste Systems!

Together we commit to developing practices grounded in justice within our congregations, communities, and beyond. When love becomes the lens through which we see the world, justice is possible. Justice for all is God’s desire.  In this year of God’s favor, let us proclaim: No More Settler Colonialism, Oppression, and Hate Speech!

When we practice harm reduction, we ignite human hearts to restore human rights and dignity, civil liberties, and racial and economic equity, and together we build movements of love and justice for all.  In this year of God’s favor, let us proclaim: No More Wars Against our Siblings!

May it be so … in the name of Christ.

Prayer

The Prophet’s Blessing by Jan Richardson

This blessing finds its way behind the bars.
This blessing works its way beneath the chains.
This blessing knows its way through a broken heart.
This blessing makes a way where there is none…

…To the one in need.
To the one in the cell.
To the one in the dark.
To the one in despair.

Let this blessing come as bread.
Let this blessing come as release.
Let this blessing come as revelation.
Let this blessing come as freedom.

Let this blessing come.

Freedom Song

Music: “Hold On” traditional
Offered by: Lynice Pinkard