Systemic racism persists, even though there is no explicit racist intent and there is no contravention of anti-discrimination laws and anti-racist policies.
Category Archives: Jesus’ Teachings
Act intentionally to dismantle systemic racism
As we celebrate Black History Month, the transfiguration calls upon all of us to examine the legacy of history and to act intentionally to surpass the limitations of anti-discriminatory laws in Canada.
When the student is ready, the teacher appears and disappears.
When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready, the teacher disappears. Whenever we understand what we have been taught, we become teachers. This is the essence of discipleship and the great commission, two inextricably linked responsibilities that Jesus fulfilled and calls us to fulfill.
Maundy Thursday Reflections
Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem started with the adoring, cheering crowds on Palm Sunday, who then decried him on Holy Thursday, witnessed His cruel death on the cross. But Holy Week ends with Jesus’ glorious resurrection on Easter Day, which is our hope that the will to love, when empowered by the grace and mercy of God, will always, always, always triumph over fear.
Lenten reflections: Jesus’ 3 temptations & social justice
Our reflections on Jesus’ temptations and his responses should lead us to acknowledge that the fulfilment of our human needs is a legitimate pursuit, but not at the expense of others. The best way to do this is to be advocates and active participants in the quest for social justice.
Lifting the veil. Living in love.
The transfiguration is the literal depiction of how love, personified in Jesus, rises above the limitations of the law, and removes the veil of political correctness, racial tolerance, indifference, race, religion, gender, and all the other things that influence the way we view and treat ‘other’ people. That, dear sisters and brothers in Christ, is the connection between Jesus’ transfiguration and the stories we tell during Black History Month.
STORYTELLING & RECONCILIATION
Storytelling can be hard. It is uncomfortable to recount the acts of injustice, the cruelty of slavery and the complex issues of race relations. It is important to tell the story of Black people as it is intertwined with the story of all of us here in North America. And yes, telling the story of slavery is still relevant as we are living with the legacy of slavery.
Responsible evangelism during the pandemic
Salvation is as much a private issue as it is a public/social issue. Public issues and social problems require responsible responses from Christians. Encouraging people to shout out about finding Jesus, while decrying the promotion of the anti-Covid-19 vaccine, is in my view, irresponsible evangelism. As Paul teaches in his letter to the church at Corinth, the greater good of society is more important than the individual Christian’s freedom of choice and personal preferences.
Living in the Kingdom of God on earth
The resilience of Black people in their struggle for equal rights and justice is testimony to the faithfulness of God. Black History Month also reminds us of how far Black people have come, taking all Canadians further along the road to a more just society. But the journey is far from being over. Harriet Tubman’s exhortation to fugitive slaves to “keep going,” inspires us all to continue to push forward until all lives matter, until systemic racism is dismantled and until Black History is recognized as integral to the history of all Canadians.
Salt, Light and Love – Our Common Christian Identity
This is the text of my homily delivered at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Ottawa in celebration of Black History Month. Bible readings for Epiphany 5, Year A – Isaiah 58:1-12; Psalm 112:1-9; 1 Corinthians 2:1-12; Matthew 5: 13-20 Audio version : Click on February 9 – Black History Month Sunday The four Bible readings thisContinue reading “Salt, Light and Love – Our Common Christian Identity”
Glory Matters 