“What does it mean to follow God in working to end structures that curtail and limit material, social, and spiritual freedom? What does it mean transform social norms, cultural values, and institutional arrangements that unjustly incarcerate people? How can we reimagine our use and consumption of resources so that every person can have what they need to thrive? How can we become co-conspirators and collaborators with others in following God in ushering in the ‘kin-dom’? How can we be open to new ways of worshiping, preaching, and teaching to proclaim with integrity the year of the Lord’s favor?”
Jessica Vazquez Torres
Lenten Reflections on the Confession of Belhar
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.
“I am a realist and of the conviction that our God is purposeful and transparent. Time and again when righteousness or justice was in danger, God would reveal God’s self through prophets as an attempt to reestablish what is right and to call her creation back into the fold.”
“The Belhar pushes the church, as she confesses, to be present in the lives of others beyond formal gatherings and policy-making engagements. Belhar calls the church to come to know itself, to actually love the neighbor, and set captives free.”
“Jesus calls us all in the church to love one another, a sign by which we are identified as Christ’s disciples. This identifying sign is so important to our witness! Let us use the precious gift of time given in this holy season to lean into Jesus’ teaching and learn more of Jesus’ love, that we may reconcile with one another, even–especially–at the table.”
“It is easy to serve God on our own terms when our lives are free of pain, difficulties, and disruptions. Jesus is calling us to follow him now–free from possessions that bind and blind us. He is trying to turn us toward a simple, uncluttered life with nothing in the way of meeting, greeting, and loving God in those whose ‘lives matter’ too.”
“God disapproves of hateful divisions that are daily shown in our collective injustices and self-centered actions.”
“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.”
