Streams of Mercy

Today was a day of demonstrations in Washington and Charlottesville. C-Span covered the

events as they unfolded. The “DC Against Hate Rally” was filled with lots of angry voices – not what I expected at all. A diverse group of speakers shared concerns, some with dignity and restraint, others with profanity and divisiveness. They rallied, chanting, "no hate, no fear, KKK is not welcome here," and carried signs that read "black trans lives matter" and "solidarity trumps hate."

At the “Unite the Right” rally, a group of white nationalists gathered outside the White House to mark one year since violent clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia. Members of the "Unite the Right" march in Washington, D.C., were heavily guarded by police, as hundreds of counter-protesters from the “DC Against Hate Rally” gathered around them in Lafayette Square.

Watching these rallies was a troubling experience for me. I struggle with the “against hate” rally that seemed so filled with what they were protesting against. I struggle with the idea of “white nationalism” as well. Aren’t we all “against hate”? With all our differing understandings of what is “right” and “wrong” in all of life, it’s not a simple matter to “unite the right,” in political or metaphorical ways. A reflection on the evening news spoke of the “fear” that is at the root of the anger of the alt “right” – a fear grounded in the fact that white Americans will soon find themselves a minority in their own country. So many things to think about; so few things that make for peace.

In today’s sermon, “Living the New Life in Christ,” these words were shared: “We who have experienced God’s love are to become more loving; we who have experienced God’s grace are to become more gracious. We are to speak in ways that support faith in ourselves and others. Our actions are to become expressions of God’s love. We are to become sensitive to all the ways in which God has made us new creations in Jesus Christ, and to live into the fullness of our newness in Christ.” Helpful words to hear on such a day; the challenge of living them ever before us from day to day.

Romans 12:9 tell us, “Let love be genuine. Hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” May we work together to do this, with God’s help.

Giving thanks for those streams of mercy, never ceasing!

Elizabeth