Where is the love?

This is a post in a series of reflections for the Black Lives Matter movement. To read other reflections, please go to the Black Lives Matter page.

Consider this post a sequel to the sermon I preached on Sunday.

Cities are burning south of the border. Not only the physical stores and buildings, but also the very fabric that keeps society together. Anger, harsh responses, retaliation, ruptured trust: these are the things we are seeing.

How do we respond as individuals and as a church? What is our voice and response in this situation?

We first reflect who we are as articulated in our mission statement: we are a compassionate community that stands in solidarity with the weak and vulnerable. This is how Jesus lived, and so do we. In this context, we stand in solidarity with black people in the United States and Canada.

Many people are focusing on the violence stemming from the protests. We agree with Martin Luther King Jr. when he said that riots are “socially destructive and self-defeating”. We stand by the principles of non-violence that he espoused. That was how Jesus lived, and the way that led to his death on the cross.

However, we also stand by what Martin Luther King Jr. also said:

“It is as necessary for me to be as vigorous in condemning the conditions which cause persons to feel that they must engage in riotous activities as it is for me to condemn riots… In the final analysis, a riot is the language of the unheard... As long as America postpones justice, we stand in the position of having these recurrences of violence and riots over and over again.”

We are seeing the effects of justice that has been postponed. It is time for us to say with prophetic boldness and loving solidarity: Black Lives Matter.

The rest of us can walk the streets without worry of our safety due solely to the colour of our skin. We do not fear making it home. We do not fear being looked upon with immediate suspicion. We can breathe freely. 

“I can’t breathe”. 

That is literally and metaphorically a living reality for many of our black brothers and sisters. In Canada, we have hid for too long beneath the veneer of equal treatment for all, and Canada as a nice place that is equally nice to all. The reality that is different from the myth is being exposed. Only when we see and confront reality for what it is, can we then begin the work toward justice, healing and reconciliation. 

This is a time for us to look honestly at ourselves too. What conscious or unconscious biases do we have toward black people? How have they affected our attitudes and behaviours toward them? How are we talking about this issue in our families? Have we been complicit in the system that discriminates against and oppresses black people? Have we just buried our heads in the sand, oblivious to the experiences they face day in and day out? What is our calling for this time and place? 

Let us prayerfully reflect on these questions. There is a time for measured reflection, and there is a time for prayerful action. This is the time for the latter.

The first action we can take is prayer. Make a commitment to join us in prayer tonight and tomorrow evening (Wednesday and Thursday) at 9:30pm. This week we will reflect on and pray for justice, healing and peace.

Secondly, we are planning a solidarity vigil via Zoom this Saturday, June 6 at 8pm. We already have some guest speakers lined up. Please register to receive the Zoom link here.

Let us pray. Let us stand in solidarity. Let us be agents of truth, justice, peace and reconciliation.

And as the following song does, let us ask our Father to send us some guidance from above.

May God’s peace and blessings be with you.

Sincerely,
Simon

This is a post in a series of reflections for the Black Lives Matter movement. To read other reflections, please go to the Black Lives Matter page.