October 31
Proverbs 31.8-9
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Those years of school were fun for some, not so much for others. Not thinking of the classroom struggles, but the playground struggles. Those moments when we could be outside to let off some steam or stress from the times of learning, yet for some became anxiety producing. But for many, as long as it was someone else who was getting picked on, we were safe. So we watched from a distance and kept quiet. Not making ourselves a target.
How often do we still stay on the sidelines as adults? Watching others suffer, yet saying little. Even turning away. Don’t look at the homeless along the way. Don’t make eye contact with the one begging at the intersection. Stay away from the parts of town where it is poor or the people look different from us. We want to speak of loving neighbours, but we want to choose who the neighbours are. Making them the neighbours who don’t have needs.
Where do we see the pain of the world today? How do we speak up for the ones in need? We have a place of privilege and abundance. We see in Proverbs here that our place is to speak for the ones who cannot speak for themselves, to defend the rights of the poor. The Jesus of the gospels, the one we follow, spent his time with the ones in need. He was the one who went to the sick, the lame, the outcasts, the enemies (remember the Samaritan encounters). We serve the world and we serve God as we stand up for the good of people God has placed around us, people also made in God’s image, with the grace we have already received.
Song – Here I Am, Lord
Prayer
Yes, Jesus, I want to be on your right side or your left side, not for any selfish reason. I want to be on your right or your best side, not in terms of some political kingdom or ambition, but I just want to be there in love and in justice and in truth and in commitment to others, so we can make of this old world and new world. Amen. (Prayer from Martin Luther King, Jr.)