Fix the Road
Week Six: March 18-24
Luke 18:1-8
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that
By the Rev. Alexis Brown, Campus minister at Howard University
Dr. King’s prophetic speech of the revolution of values shares a broader perspective of how systematically America perpetuates evil through greed and subsequently through white supremacy. Many of us love Dr. King’s speeches, and I have even heard folks who I vehemently disagree with him quote him. Folks, for example, who don’t mind taxing the poor, eliminating healthcare, and cutting Social Security. I’ve pondered in prayer to God for them and asked, “are they serious?” I wondered if they truly know what Dr. King’s speeches were all about, and how revolutionary they would look like to live into?
Every time I’ve cried out to God for answers, I heard the Spirit saying to me, “And where have you been revolutionary?” I wrote this poem during one of those reflective moments of understanding my own culpability into a system that cares more about material things than humanity. For it is the love of humanity and the earth that Jesus came to redeem, demonstrating to us who and what we should value. The ancient scriptures and the Gospel require radical revolutionists who decide to point the finger back to our own
I met Jesus today
She was standing on the side of the road
With a sign begging for change
I stopped and gave Her
All the money I had in my purse
She was so excited and grateful
She kissed my hand
It wasn’t an even exchange
I didn’t offer much
But Her gratitude overwhelmed me with
Joy, then sadness
Could She be so happy with so little
For a moment there
I was hoping she didn’t confuse my $10
For a $100
Then I left feeling as if I didn’t do enough.
It wasn’t an even exchange
For She “blessed me.”
I left with tears knowing I cannot repay
Her sacrifice.
I passed by Jesus today and didn’t stop
He had a sign begging for help.
I had plans for my $20.
Then I remembered how I wasted $40
on an unnecessary gadget.
Oh, and that expensive coffee I just bought.
And yet He has nowhere to sleep
because he gave it all away.
I repented, and He Forgave me.
It wasn’t an even exchange.
I met Jesus today
I didn’t make an excuse as I drove by Her with
My Starbucks in my hand.
I went straight to the ATM
And took out the minimum
And again, She was so grateful
For She always says to me “God Bless you!”
What a blessing!
It wasn’t an even exchange!
All that I have belongs to HER
All that I am belongs to HIM
They gave it all away
And They still wish me well
And “Bless me” when I do so little
Crosswalk
Breathe
Love in action… use me to fix the road.
As you breathe in, say or think: “Love in action.” Experience God’s love in action in your breath and body. As you exhale, say or think: “use me to fix the road.” Continue this breath prayer and on the exhale, let go of excuses and fears and open yourself to receive instructions. Do this each day for at least 7 minutes. Notice how the Spirit ministers to and
Reflect
- Read Rev. Brown’s devotional. Reflect upon when you have been revolutionary for God.
- What role does justice play in your faith? Do you see humanity’s justice as distinct from God’s justice? How so?
- King called on Americans to “rapidly begin the shift from a thing-oriented society to a person-oriented society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism and militarism are incapable of being conquered.” Examine your own life. In what ways are you thing-oriented; in what ways are you person-oriented? What does your faith tell you about finding the proper balance between these two orientations?
- In response to war, King suggested a genuine revolution of values with all-embracing, unconditional love at its center. While this might be seen as sentimental or weak, King said “I am speaking of that force which all of the great religions have seen as the supreme unifying principle of life. Love is somehow the key that unlocks the doors which leads to ultimate reality. … God dwelleth in us and his love is perfected in us.” How do you think adopting this spirit of love in personal, corporate and political situations would, or could, affect change? Is love the answer? Why or why not?
Create
King was heavily criticized, even by some of his own supporters, for speaking out against the Vietnam War, but said, “A time comes when silence is
Lead
Great leaders are consistently rooted and guided by their purpose and values. Integrity in a movement or organization comes from the consistency of its leaders’ purpose and values. Said another way: the “why” needs to remain constant even as the “what” and “how” might need to be more flexible. In this speech, we hear recurring values expressed throughout King’s career as he explains why he is speaking out against Vietnam. In doing so, he not only demonstrates the depth of his commitment to his core
Navigate
As you and your compadres have journeyed on The Jericho Road, what next milestones do you see for yourselves? How are you being called to bridge the gap between the lessons of Jesus and how you are living that out on the Jericho Roads in your community? Are you being called to join an existing campaign for justice in your community, county, state or nationally? Will you register people to vote? What organization might you join with to help save the soul of your community, region or nation? What is God calling you to do that would result in “a bright day of justice?”
Pray
Eternal Lover of our souls and giver of Life: we praise your Holy Name. Thank you for the gift of life and for the gift of your love. Thank you for calling and equipping us to join you in your transformational work. Help us to move beyond the world as it is to envision, create and shape the world as you desire it to be. In the person of Jesus, love walked among us and called out injustice in conventional and unconventional spaces, including worship spaces and town squares. Love was on a mission to save us. Love challenged us to be the highest expression of all that is good. Love journeyed through the earth with