…we should be helping one another—let’s put it in simpler words—to love. We help one another to love more, and you help people to love, not by saying “love,” but by loving. That’s the justification of our life: if there is love, it’s justified, and if should not be just a little in-growing love. It should be a love that reaches out to everybody. — Thomas Merton in California: The Redwood Conferences & Letters edited by David M. Odorisio (p. 52)
Verse of the day
This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.
– Matthew 15:8-9
Voice of the day
What, then, is the word of the religion of Jesus to those who stand with their backs against the wall?
– Howard Thurman, “The Howard Thurman Question That Changed My Faith”
Prayer of the day
May we as a church move from empty worship to truly following the teachings of Jesus, not the world.
Verse of the day
You shall not withhold the wages of poor and needy laborers, whether other Israelites or aliens who reside in your land in one of your towns. You shall pay them their wages daily before sunset, because they are poor and their livelihood depends on them; otherwise they might cry to the Lord against you, and you would incur guilt.
– Deuteronomy 24:14-15
Voice of the day
Honor the hands that harvest your crops.
– Dolores Huerta
Prayer of the day
May we honor the hands that harvest our crops by upholding justice and compassion, ensuring fair wages and dignity for every laborer.
“I am firmly convinced that nonviolence cannot exist only in books or on the seminal level on our university campuses, but it must exist in the flesh. I have always believed that people are the most important element we have. We must put flesh into our nonviolence rather than simply talk about it.”—César Chávez
“This world is promoting so much despair. Our politicians and corrupted leadership are promoting so much despair. For me as a leader, I cannot just close my mouth. I cannot stop. I live one life, and I want this life to promote life for others after we go.”—Ali Abu Awwad
“It’s not the violence of the few that scares me, it’s the silence of the many.”—Martin Luther King, Jr.
Verse of the day
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to abolish things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God.
– 1 Corinthians 1:27-29
Voice of the day
Christendom adjusts itself far too easily to the worship of power. Christians should give more offense, shock the world far more, than they are doing now.
– Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “Bonhoeffer Quotes to Remember a Pastor Who Resisted Evil Unto Death”
Prayer of the day
God, help us to boldly reject the worship of power and live as true disciples of Christ, challenging the world with the humility, love, and servanthood that reflects your kingdom.
“I have always believed that my duty is not only to liberate myself from the oppressor, but also to liberate my oppressors from their hatred and fear.”—Mahmoud Khalil, illegally detained pro-Palestinian activist, US permanent resident, and Columbia University student
Verse of the day
Pilate therefore said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and power to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
– John 19:10-11
Voice of the day
Jesus is that great voice of otherwise, who saw the contradictions of the gospel to the Roman Empire and who acted out an alternative.
– Walter Brueggemann, “Jesus Acted Out the Alternative to Empire”
Prayer of the day
Help us follow Jesus, who saw the contradictions of empire and offered an alternative vision of your kingdom, where justice, peace, and love reign, not of this world but from you alone.
“Our healing is intimately tied to the healing of the collective. When we are committed to true community, we seek justice for all who are suffering. Solidarity is an essential part of community and healing together.”
—Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, Monk in the World: An Online, Self-Study Retreat
In what way has your personal healing journey nourished communal justice, and in what way has your justice seeking brought inner healing?
Pastor Michael Moore's Blog 