Friends,

Last Sunday, I preached about looking at Jesus' actions to see what the way of Jesus looks like. The Gospel we read was a scene from Luke's account of the crucifixion. There, as he's being publicly mocked at a lynching run by the state, Jesus shows kindness and mercy to the criminals being killed alongside him. You can listen here.

Here's some of what we see of Jesus' behavior in the Gospels: Jesus fed the hungry, healed the sick, welcomed the stranger. Jesus served, and taught others to serve. Jesus told the truth in the midst of injustice. In the midst of profound violence and scorn, Jesus stayed kind, stayed human, showed mercy.

Jesus shows us what the way of love looks like so that we can practice that way too.

This week, our liturgical calendar moves from the paradox of 'Christ the King' -- the end of the liturgical year -- to the yearning for justice and defiant hope of Advent. The origins of 'Christ the King' in anti-fascism point us back to the need for that hope. We have completed the full circle, and we begin again; if we are willing to see, the world around us cries out for God's restorative justice and defiant hope.

Many of you are taking your own actions to practice defiant hope in response to the many concerns about rising authoritarianism. I want you to know that we're exploring Grace's role as a congregation in that work as well. In a few weeks, a team of lay leaders will join Huldah and me to attend a planning session led by a local faith-based community organizing group. That organization is planning a series of national demonstrations and public actions in the spring, to gather people of faith around three key Christian practices: feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and welcoming the stranger. The team from Grace will attend the planning event and then discern whether Grace is called to participate corporately, sending participants as representatives of our faith community.

There is more than one right answer to this question. I'm already hearing from folks who are planning to attend as part of other organizations. Grace could position ourselves as a source of spiritual nourishment for the work each of our members does to practice the way of Jesus; we could also position ourselves as a vector for shared ministry in this direction. Grace members will be practicing the defiant hope of Jesus regardless. We will pray about our congregation's involvement and keep you informed. I hope you'll pray for that discernment as well.

I hope you get to eat something delicious with people you love this week, and I'll see you soon for the first Sunday of Advent.

With love,
Susan+

Tags: Rev Susan, action