Dear Caldwell
I don’t know about you, but I just can’t get used to seeing the news coverage of the war in Ukraine. And I suppose I should not want to.
I remember seeing coverage of the Viet Nam conflict on the NBC Huntley-Brinkley report, a staple in my childhood household. Some historians and social observers believe it was that news coverage – the sight of our soldiers dying (and, for some, the sight of seeing the violence we were inflicitng on others) – that turned the tide of public opinion against the war. Part of the pain we feel comes from a feeling of helplessness, I suppose; global forces at work, immense power in the hands of a mad man and more.
How do we pray? I received a prayer this week from the North Carolina Council of Churches that included these helpfiul lines (you can read the full prayer and more about ways to help here).
Our God, who teaches us that all who live by the sword, die by the sword (Matthew 26:52),
Who teaches us to put our sword back in its place (Matthew 26:52),
To beat our swords into plowshares and our spears into pruning hooks (Isaiah 2:4),
That we do not wage war with the weapons of the world but with divine power that can demolish strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4),
Remind us of these truths when we feel powerless.
This Sunday, we will consider the passage in Luke when Jesus told the disciples to expect the worst that humanity can do.
“When you hear of wars and insurrectons, do not be terrified …,” Well, OK Jesus, I hear you, but that’s pretty hard.
In the case of this passage, Luke 21: 5-18, Christ was foretelling of his death in the coming days (“We can almost see the cross from here” ….) Jesus didn’t sugarcoat things. He told his followers they would suffer for their faith. But he also asured them of his abiding presence. That is the life of faith – to endure in hope even as we are told to expect hard days.
Where are you finding hope these days? How are you staying on the path? Let me know, as I will be touching on this in Sunday’s sermon.
In the meantime:
- I hope you were able to read the Easter’s Home update letter you should have received on Monday and that you are planning to take part in the big-tent listening sessions planned for after worship this Sunday.
- All are welcome to attend the meeting of health justice advocates tomorrow in the community hall at 6 p.m.
- Want to help celebrate the bountiful partnership Caldwell has enjoyed with Union Presbyterian Seminary? It celebrates the 20th anniversary of its Charlotte campus April 8 and 9, including a gala dinner on the 8th and graduation with an after party on the 9th (with our own Lia Benton among the graduates!). Caldwell simply cannot estimate the impact of the Charlotte campus, where Gail and I were trained for ministry and which has sent us so many amazing interns. But we sure can celebrate it. If you want to support or attend any of the events, click here.
- Finally, we’re looking into the glitch that caused the online sound to go out for about 5 minutes during my sermon Sunday. There are always new demons to face in the brave new world of online ministry. If you wanted to see what I said during the outage, click here to read the sermon. I welcome any feedback.
Watch for Caldwell This Week Friday, with all the details of the abundant life we have together.
In Christ,
John