9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God – Matthew 5:9
Today is the day we commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Perhaps there has been no bigger a year to reflect on his life’s mission than the year we find ourselves in. It seems that we were in a sort of delusion in thinking race relations were progressing in our country. If the last few years have done nothing else, they have exposed this false narrative and assured us to continue the work done by King and others. The question for us at this crossroads of race and politics, is how are we to respond to a world where racism is often under the surface and sometimes hard to pinpoint?
As a Christ follower, we must have the courage to lead the charge. Just as in the civil rights movement, we must not be afraid of talking about race or fighting against injustice, regardless if it costs us tithe or members. We must lay waste to our political hesitations and speak boldly of the creation of man and woman in the image of a God who judges hearts not skin pigment. While starting the conversation in the Church, we can further this dialogue into the spheres of power that attempt to deny such person hood.
An imbalanced prison system should bother us.
Lack of education for minorities should frighten us.
Police brutality should anger us.
And dangerous rhetoric from hateful politicians should lead us to righteous political engagement.
All too often, our faith dulls our longing for social reconciliation instead of furthering it to a more Christ-like desire. Today, racism is more insidious than ever and has seemed to come out of the cold earth it was hiding from, being exposed in the most official of offices. The heart of Christ is for reconciliation between all people. His economy is based on redemption as its currency. His disciples are to be redemptive agents in a fractured world.
Today, reflect on MLK and pray for peace and radical reconciliation, for heaven is the only true colorblind society.
*Originally posted on January 15, 2018
Matt simon blog 