Sunday Reflection: How do we level the playing field?

This Sunday reflection is brought to you by 

Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11

It's already the second Sunday of Advent -- and I don't know about you, but in hearing Isaiah calling for valleys to be raised, mountains made low, and uneven ground level, I can't help but think of how unfair and uneasy life is for so many people in our world. How on earth can we level the playing field for the people of Gaza? Or even just our sisters and brothers who were living under tents and tarps in our city centre until the police and their drones cleared all the encampments on Thursday? 

I have no answers, but this morning in his Sunday reflection, Pastor Jim reminded me that I need to remember the hope to which we are called, to believe in the God of that hope, and to work together with others toward making it real. 

So it's fitting that this Second Sunday of Advent also falls on International Human Rights Day. This morning at Inner City Pastoral Ministry, Pastor Jim led us in a powerful adaptation of a prayer written by Rabbi Brant Rosen. 

Maybe you'd like to pray it with me?

Spirit of All that Lives:

Help us uphold the values central to whom we are: human beings created in the image of God. 

Help us to recognize that the dignity of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace. 

May we ensure just treatment for all who dwell in our land.

Guide us toward one law. One justice. One human standard of behaviour toward all. Move us away from honouring the divine image in some but not in others.

Forgive us for the inhumane manner in which we too often treat others. We know that when it comes to crimes against humanity, some of us may be guilty, but all of us are responsible. Grant us forgiveness for the exclusion we commit against the most vulnerable members of society: the unwanted, the unhoused, the undocumented.

Strengthen us to shine your light into the dark places of our world. Give us ability to uncover those who are hidden from view, locked away, forgotten. Let us never forget that nothing is hidden and no one lost from before you, and that we can never lock away the humanity of another.

Remind us of our duty to create a just society right here, right now. Give us the determination to guard against the complacency of the comfortable -- and the resolve in knowing that we cannot put off the cause of justice and freedom for another day. Remind us that now is the moment to create your kingdom here on earth. 

May it be your will. And may it be ours. 

+Amen.

I'll leave you on a bit of a somber note (with a promise of something more uplifting tomorrow)... Martin Kerr, one of my favourite local musicians, came up with a powerful social commentary song to the tune of an old favourite Christmas carol. Most of the images below were taken within blocks of the Community of Emmanuel's gathering place every Sunday morning, though it was hard to find any encampments today. (Where did all those people sleep these last few days?)

The video/song below clearly names the issues we face when merry billionaires are allowed to live without caring about anyone but themselves and their wallets. If I could add one more verse, it would be to wish them the kind of insomnia that wakes them up to the problems they are creating, and to spend their billions on making the world a better place not just for themselves, but for all of humanity. They truly have the ability to start levelling the playing field.

Thanks for this, Martin Kerr.