Racial Justice Sunday
“Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. ”
Overview
Our readings for Racial Justice Sunday focus on how every one of us can engage in the work of justice.
In Amos 5:21-24 God rejects religious festivals, assemblies, offerings and worship and calls us instead to “to let justice roll down like water.”: Reminding us that our faith is not just about what happens in Church but what happens every day; it is not about performance but about action.
Fighting racial inequality starts with our own education and awareness but it cannot end there. It requires that we actively seek to confront unjust structures in society. In an increasingly polarised world in which far right activists link Britishness with whiteness this can feel overwhelming yet Proverbs 31:8-9 commands simply to speak out and to defend others.
All of us have witnessed situations and conversations with racist overtones and yet politeness and reserve often stop us from getting involved. White people can ignore such situations but many in our church family do not have that luxury. Today’s readings call us to be allies; to speak up and not to let the burden of racism be carried by people of colour alone.
For our gospel today we hear the Lukan Manifesto, Luke 4:18-21. Here Jesus accepts his mission, a mission which is also ours. We too have received the Holy Spirit and it is a gift which is to be used to “bring good news to the poor” and “to set free those who are oppressed.”
We are not to wait for the “year of the Lord’s favour” (with its promise of justice and peace, freedom and equality) to miraculously dawn. We are to start fulfilling it today.
FIRST READINGS
Amos 5:21-24
I hate, I despise your festivals,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Even though you offer me your burnt-offerings and grain-offerings,
I will not accept them;
and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals
I will not look upon.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Proverbs 31:8-9
Speak out for those who cannot speak,
for the rights of all the destitute.
Speak out, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
GOSPEL
Luke 4:18-21
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’
