Embodying Prayers for Justice

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 24C)

Luke 18.1-8

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

 

In our society, we love stories about an underdog. One who, on the surface, has little to no possibility of winning in whatever situation they find themselves. And the more the odds are stacked against them, usually because of unjust or corrupt systems, the more we root for the underdog. Perhaps because we see something of ourselves in that particular person or the situation they are confronting. The underdog fighting the good fight and ultimately prevailing against all odds is a common theme in many books, movies, plays, television shows, and video games. A motif that continues to draw us in, because we can all relate in some way or another. And since, in most portrayals produced for mass consumption, the underdog does eventually prevail, we derive not only entertainment from the story, but also a sense of hope that, if the protagonist can prevail, so can we.

 

This motif is not new to our time or our society. Just because they did not have movies and video games in first century Palestine did not mean this theme of the underdog was not popular then, as well. We see an example of this in the parable Jesus tells in today’s Gospel reading. The parable of the widow and the unjust judge. Perhaps the first century version of such stories as Norma Rae and Erin Brokovich.

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Us and Them

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 23C)

Jeremiah 29.1, 4-7; Luke 17.11-19

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

 

We are all too familiar with the phenomenon of “us vs them”. Dividing ourselves into groups based on perceived differences in attributes has undoubtedly been a “thing” for nearly as long as the human species has existed. Archaeological evidence indicates that such distinctions were likely at play at last as far back as the time when both Homo sapiens and Neanderthals shared our planet. We know these two species encountered each other and interbred. And yet, over time, Homo sapiens (us) thrived and survived while Neanderthals (them) did not. Most likely due to ongoing inter-species conflicts.

 

However, the eventual dying off of “them,” of Neanderthals, did not mean the end of “us vs them” thinking, of “us vs them” conflicts. In the intervening 40,000 years, the “us” that is Homo sapiens, the only remaining species of human beings, found new and innovative ways to categorize ourselves as “us” and “them.” Be it based on physical attributes, such as skin color or area of origin, or be it ideological, such as politics or religion. Look at our recorded history and you see that there was always an “us” and a “them.” Sometimes living together somewhat amicably, but more often than not, at conflict to one degree or another. If nothing else because one group had greater power and oppressed the other. Certainly, all the major conflicts throughout history have been based on an “us vs them” perspective that was rooted in physical or ideological differences, if not both. Even in the history of our own nation—a nation ostensibly built on the idea, the dream, of equality for all. And we see it played out with increasing vitriol in our own time: the “us vs them” of race, the “us vs them” of immigration status, the “us vs them” of gender identity, the “us vs them” of sexual orientation, the “us vs them” of political affiliation, the “us vs them” of religion.

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Increase Our Faith!

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 22C)

Luke 17.5-10

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

 

“Increase our faith!” Strange words out of the mouths of Jesus’ disciples—out of the mouths of men who had at least enough faith in him and in their God that they were willing to give up their jobs and to devote three years of their lives following Jesus around the countryside proclaiming God’s love. How much more faith do you need?

 

Although, I suppose that is part of our nature. To always want more. To always want to do better. And no matter how good we are, it never seems enough. We are, after all, our own worse critics. Thinking we still are not where we should be. This applies to all areas of our lives. To our relationships—am I loving and caring enough? To our jobs—am I good enough, productive enough? To our physical well-being—am I healthy enough, fit enough? To our intellect—am I smart enough, well rounded enough? And yes, even to our spiritual life—am I faithful enough, do I love God enough, am I serving God enough?

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