Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ John 8:31-32
In the appointed lectionary reading for today Jesus talks about forgiveness, and I truly believe that forgiveness is necessary for true freedom. And, in our country, facing up to our past, honestly and with integrity, requires us to ask forgiveness and to commit to never abusing, enslaving nor limiting freedom ever again. We have real work to do in this country. We are called, as followers of Jesus to live for the care and love of others, forgiving and setting people free. We haven't done that well, and we each are a part of that failure. Yet, we are all invited today, on this Juneteenth when we celebrate the end to slavery here, to commit ourselves to freedom and care for all people, across our world and here at home. May we humble ourselves and make room for God's love to work within us.
Loving Creator, you intend for us to live as siblings
giving us daylight and rain to water and feed crops
and sweet music to calm our weary and troubled souls.
Instead, we have made some slaves and abused others
thinking ourselves as gods and heirs of good gifts
while keeping freedom from those whom you truly love.
Dear Jesus, give us the love and humility we need today
so that we might never bind another other human being
and set free those who have been kept down for so long. Amen.
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