Commentary: Christian Responsibility

As far back as I can remember my Mom and Dad were engaged in public life, taking their civic responsibilities seriously.  I can still hear my Mother, who came from a community cloaked with injustice, calling on people to step out and speak up.  At the same time, our family was active in the Roman Catholic Church.  As a child, I did not connect our faith with public responsibilities, but I suspect that my parents did.  Time passed and generations evolved; however, those teachings remain imbedded in values that drive my belief that people of faith must be part of social engagement dedicated to the common good.  As I grew into adulthood, it became clearer that my faith was inextricably linked to my passion for justice and equality. 

After years of social activism in the community, I needed to add my voice to the masses, fearfully I might add.  So, when I joined the United Church of Church of Christ nearly 35 years ago and I learned that the Bible was the very basis for our prophetic witness.  It was as a laywoman in the pews of my local church that I learned to shout out with courage.  It was in the pews that I have heard the scriptures read claiming that God is a God of justice.  It became vividly clear to me that every single person’s dignity must be respected and restored.    

A question often arises – what business does the church have in this anyway?  As Christians, we have the responsibility to influence our social culture rather than being a product of it.  As followers of Jesus Christ, we have no choice but to take His message of love, justice, hope, and reconciliation inside and outside of our churches far beyond Sunday morning.  The church is the place where God’s justice, God’s peace, and God’s powerful and unconditional love should be made markedly evident through our actions.  The church, indeed, has some business in all of this.