Our World Belongs to God 53

 

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We continue on this week with the "Contemporary Testimony: Our World Belongs to God." 

Paragraphs 1-6: Preamble (April 11-29)
Paragraphs 7-12: Creation (April 30-May 8)
Paragraphs 13-17: Fall (May 11-15)
Paragraphs 18-22: Redemption (May 18-22)
Paragraphs 23-27: Jesus Christ (May 25-29)
Paragraphs 28-30: Holy Spirit (June 1-2, 5)
Paragraphs 31-33: Revelation (June 8-10)
Paragraphs 34-40: God's New People (June 11-19)
Paragraphs 41-54 The Mission of God's People (June 23-)

Paragraph 53 (Today)
We call on all governments to do public justice
and to protect the rights and freedoms
of individuals, groups, and institutions
so that each may do their tasks.
We urge governments and pledge ourselves
to safeguard children and the elderly
from abuse and exploitation,
to bring justice to the poor and oppressed,
and to promote the freedom
to speak, work, worship, and associate.

[That governments are called to justice generally and that how a government treats the poor and the weak is a key indicator of a society’s commitment to justice is taught in all the prophets and in psalms like Psalm 72.]

As Canadians we can especially delight in this Ps. 72, knowing that verse 8 is inscribed in our parliament's Peace Tower.  This reminds us that we enjoy so much of the justice, rights and freedoms of which this Paragraph speaks.  Lately we are being reminded, however, that these benefits are not distributed equally.  And we are learning to listen to these reminders.

These words from Paragraph 53 sound good, but exactly how do we effectively call on governments to do public justice and protect the rights of others?  This is not something I am admittedly good at doing.  I was intrigued last winter when I learned that our denomination's Centre for Public Dialog runs "Biblical Advocacy Workshops" to help people learn to do just that.  I brought it to our local ministerial, knowing their hearts for justice, and we all agreed to bring it to our respective congregations.  Then COVID hit and the plans got shelved.

But have a look at the link for the "Faith in Action: Practicing Biblical Advocacy" workshop. It is something you can do right from your own home.  I have committed to doing this, in November. Perhaps some of you would like to join me in this, and learn how to live this mandate?  (I will remind you again at the beginning of November.)

On the other end of the spectrum, we know that we all have a role in meeting the needs of the poor and the oppressed. Thanksgiving is a good time to remember our obligation and opportunity to share the blessings of this land with others.  I'm reminded of this as I prepare a harvest sermon on Ruth 2 this week. I hope you will tune in on Sunday as we look at it together.

Today's song is Darrell Evans' The Kingdom Song. 

Go with this blessing:

The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Pastor Mark

PS - If you have already taken the "Faith in Action: Practicing Biblical Advocacy" workshop would you leave a message below and let others know of your experience with it?

 

 

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