Messianic Mission (3)
Lectionary, Year C, Epiphany 3
Christopher B. Harbin
Luke 4:14-21
Why are we here? That is the central issue behind a mission statement. The banner at the altar of our sanctuary would tell us that our mission is to follow Jesus, make disciples, and transform the world. A mission statement should direct all that we do, reminding us of our purpose and calling us from the mundane, hum-drum of our routines to raise our sights toward the larger purpose before us. As Jesus began his ministry in Nazareth, he set out a statement of the mission that would guide his ministry and teaching. How different is our purpose in living from that which Jesus stated for himself?
The nation just celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day last week. Many paid homage to his legacy and contribution to advance civil rights in the US and around the world. Many voices honored this fallen leader of the Civil Rights Movement from a period of history I cannot recall. Few mentioned so many leaders, institutions, and government agencies implicated in the angst and violence leading to his death over his push for civil rights and equality. I saw little recognition that his message was mostly proclaimed from pulpits across the nation, a message that rang loud and true to the Christian Scriptures. Likewise, I heard scant mention of contemporaneous voices preaching against civil rights and equality from so many other pulpits.
Hindsight makes it clear that Martin Luther King's message that the equality of all people before God should be extended into the public sector was on point. Hindsight helps us see that his message was a needed correction. Hindsight helps us accept at least portions of what he had to say. Dealing with the full reality of the concerns of inequality, however, has never been a strong suit for humanity. This may be an ideal we can claim, but putting it fully into practice has always and everywhere been a stretch.
It may be easy for us to claim the Bi ...
Lectionary, Year C, Epiphany 3
Christopher B. Harbin
Luke 4:14-21
Why are we here? That is the central issue behind a mission statement. The banner at the altar of our sanctuary would tell us that our mission is to follow Jesus, make disciples, and transform the world. A mission statement should direct all that we do, reminding us of our purpose and calling us from the mundane, hum-drum of our routines to raise our sights toward the larger purpose before us. As Jesus began his ministry in Nazareth, he set out a statement of the mission that would guide his ministry and teaching. How different is our purpose in living from that which Jesus stated for himself?
The nation just celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day last week. Many paid homage to his legacy and contribution to advance civil rights in the US and around the world. Many voices honored this fallen leader of the Civil Rights Movement from a period of history I cannot recall. Few mentioned so many leaders, institutions, and government agencies implicated in the angst and violence leading to his death over his push for civil rights and equality. I saw little recognition that his message was mostly proclaimed from pulpits across the nation, a message that rang loud and true to the Christian Scriptures. Likewise, I heard scant mention of contemporaneous voices preaching against civil rights and equality from so many other pulpits.
Hindsight makes it clear that Martin Luther King's message that the equality of all people before God should be extended into the public sector was on point. Hindsight helps us see that his message was a needed correction. Hindsight helps us accept at least portions of what he had to say. Dealing with the full reality of the concerns of inequality, however, has never been a strong suit for humanity. This may be an ideal we can claim, but putting it fully into practice has always and everywhere been a stretch.
It may be easy for us to claim the Bi ...
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