Juneteenth

Then he said to them, ‘How can they say that the Messiah is David’s son? For David himself says in the book of Psalms, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’ ” David thus calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?’ In the hearing of all the people he said to the disciples, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.’ He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.’ Luke 20:41-21:4

Today, as our state and hopefully, our nation, we celebrate Juneteenth, the day when the horror of slavery was finally over in this land. The word did not reach enslaved folks in Texas until June 19th, 1865, and though they were last to hear, they laid the foundation for this celebration of freedom. We all know that this freedom was fragile then, and it remains fragile today, especially for people of color and our immigrant siblings. We live in a country divided, almost as much as it was then. The rich have gotten richer, and the poor are suffering terribly. Some religious leaders have encouraged this divide. May we have the eyes of Jesus, who noticed the poor widow's generosity and honored her for all time. He also criticized, actually condemned, the pompous wealthy, who were never grateful, nor generous. May we always be generous and loving, making room for all and sharing what we have so all may be free.

Wondrous Creator, source of freedom and justice

you call us all to see all people as our relatives

to walk humbly and stand with those suffering

and to be generous and kind in all that we do.

We revel in criticizing those who are different

we enjoy too much feeling superior to others

we shut the doors and build higher walls

yet you never called us to do anything but love.

Help us to see with the eyes of Lord Jesus

who noticed the kind widow in the corner

make love and welcome our only daily work

and bring us all together again so all may be free. Amen.