Aug. 13, 2017
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
"Where do we go from here?" That is the question being asked by the people of Charlottesville, VA, and those who are fearful and hurting in Kenya, in Venezuela, on the Korean Peninsula - anywhere hatred and violence are escalating.
Today's lectionary gospel text reminds us of an another storm brewing and one disciple's fearful plea ... "Lord, save me" (Matthew 14:30).
Jesus was right there in the boat with him, and reached out a hand of support and a word of calm. As people of faith, we remain steadfast in our belief that the one who was with Peter in the storm continues to reside with us through all the storms of life, no matter how chaotic they become.
And while we believe that with God all things are possible, and the storms will cease, as baptized Christians, we are called to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves. When we are witnesses to storms of violence and hatred, what hand of support and word of calm can we offer? We must not tolerate or encourage the kind of behavior that we witnessed in Charlottesville or anywhere lives are devalued.
Dr. Cornell West was present in Charlottesville yesterday, and during a morning prayer service at First Baptist Church said he had come "bearing witness to love and justice." While our nation enjoys certain freedoms, we are also a nation that values justice. We cannot tolerate the injustice of those who would devalue the lives of some based on the color of their skin.
As Jesus' followers may we honor the sacred worth of all God's beloved and seek to live in love with one another. And as the storms of life rage, may we lend our hearts, hands and voices to build God's beloved community here in our nation and around the globe.
Of course we cannot do it alone. So may we join our prayer with Peter's and say, "Lord, save us!"
In Christ's love,
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Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar
