The Emanuel Nine

Today is the commemoration of the Emanuel Nine, martyrs, 2015

I don't have any snappy words to relate to the depth and gravity of this day. I don't want to minimize the seriousness of their lives and the harshness of hatred that entangles white supremacy. It still haunts me that the perpetrator was a confirmed Lutheran. It bothers me that there is so much brokenness and separation. This event didn't happen here, but it could have.

Juneteenth is coming up. Let us celebrate the release from slavery and own up to the great amount of work that we have ahead. We cannot remain silent and we can not presume that our teens and children will appropriately choose love. We need to do a better job at teaching love and recognizing hidden pieces of systemic racism that can fester and boil. 

Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
    those he redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands,
    from the east and from the west,
    from the north and from the south.

Some went down to the sea in ships,
    doing business on the mighty waters;
24 they saw the deeds of the Lord,
    his wondrous works in the deep.
25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,
    which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths;
    their courage melted away in their calamity;
27 they reeled and staggered like drunkards,
    and were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he brought them out from their distress;
29 he made the storm be still,
    and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad because they had quiet,
    and he brought them to their desired haven.
31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
    for his wonderful works to humankind.
32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
    and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Dear Lord,

Guide us in your Way of Love and forgiveness.

Teach us to teach your Way.

Help us to see the ways that we act or speak unfairly to those who are different from us.

Lead us all together into your path of justice, reconciliation, and peace. Give us the courage to do the hard work in ourselves.

In the Name of Christ, Amen.