“God disapproves of hateful divisions that are daily shown in our collective injustices and self-centered actions.”
Randal Maurice Jelks
Lenten Reflections on the Confession of Belhar
Randal leads up to the above statement by telling the story of a rally held by a racist, hate group in Grand Rapids. A counter rally was also held. And then, after both groups had left, students from Calvin College cleaned the stairs as a symbol that God disapproves “of hatred and the promotion of divisions.”
Where are the stairs I need to clean? How can I daily demonstrate God’s disapproval of injustice and division?
This Lenten season I am using a new resource to explore the Belhar Confession: Lenten Reflections on the Confession of Belhar, edited by Kerri N. Allen and Donald K. McKim. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), in which I serve as a teaching elder (pastor), added the Confession of Belhar to our Book of Confessions in 2016. This confession came from the Dutch Reformed Mission Church during its historic struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
See you along the Trail.
“Today, as you walk this Lenten journey, pay attention to the daily news and social media. Pay attention to testimony that we human beings still engage in partiality. The hash tags #blacklivesmatter and #blackgirlmagic emerged as a protest against partiality based on race, gender, and other aspects of human incarnation. Yes, it’s still true: everybody does it, even Christians. Our worship services are still segregated, as are our social lives. But, our brother James and our South African siblings call to us: ‘Repent.’ We must hear them, and we must stand in solidarity against discrimination. To do less undermines the credibility of the gospel. To do less violates the royal law. To do less, sisters and brothers, is sin.”
“This is ‘persistent journey’ talk, not ‘final destination/quick solution’ talk.”
“Barbara Rossing has cautioned us not to dismiss this earth, this world, in exchange for a promised new creation because God will dwell here. The new creation will be born here.
ed , and those made ‘other’ by our unjust habits. It also reminds us, especially during Lent, that this good news is entrusted to those of us who would be the church. It is a word we must not only speak to friendly and hostile audiences, but also enact in peace.”
The UN Secretary-General’s 
My colleague Catherine Chang and partners from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines hand delivered a letter for President Duterte of the Philippines on Friday, March 24, 2017. The letter was delivered to a presidential aide.
Along the Graybeard Trail 