Tuesday Eve Service - Zoom Only

Holding Faith

holding faith
two pale blue butterflies facing each other while perched on dandelions; Image courtesy of Ronny Overhate via Pixabay.

Faith gives us the power to resist. We know that if it is not the way of love, it is not the way of God. Instead of giving into despair and fear, let us recommit to bringing more Divine Love into the world.

No comments yet

In the last week or so more than one person has told me that it is hard for them to hold onto faith when such scary things are happening in the world. After we have survived the worst of pandemic (we hope), the continuing war in Ukraine and other places, and on-going mass shootings and death at the hands of police, what has folx questioning their faith is SCOTUS.

We can trust God to hold us when sickness, war, and death echo around the world – near and far. Yet, when it looks like SCOTUS could actually repeal Roe v Wade, many of us are shaken. And I say this is without cause.

God is not in or behind COVID, war, or White supremacy. God is also not in or behind SCOTUS. Human activity is behind most of the pain and suffering in this world. We haven’t quelled COVID because not enough people will get vaccinated and continue to mask in public settings. We have not ended war because our world leaders would rather go to war than find rational resolutions to conflict. We have not ended White supremacy because adherents believe it is sanctioned by God and a requirement of so-called Christian faith.

This is what ails SCOTUS. The conflation of religion, nationalism, and White supremacy. God is not on the Supreme Court and few justices are actually seeking what is best for the majority of people in this country. They want to turn back the clock on justice and the rights of women, BIPOC, QT folx, and so many more. Their goal is to maintain power.

Faith gives us the power to resist. We know that if it is not the way of love, it is not the way of God. Instead of giving into despair and fear, let us recommit to bringing more Divine Love into the world. Let’s advocate for liberation and freedom for all people with whatever resources we have. God is on the side of love and liberation, always.

So let’s take a breath and lean into the love of God and continue to resist the powers of Empire. Every act of kindness, every act of justice, is resistance. We can do this together.

About Rachael Keefe

Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe is the pastor of Living Table United Church of Christ. She was called to Living Table in 2015 after serving in many varied ministry settings since her ordination in 1992. She holds graduate degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and Andover Newton Seminary at Yale (formerly Andover Newton Theological School). Her ministry and leadership often center around advocacy and accessibility. Her writing has been published by Chalice Press, The Christian Century, Red Letter Christians, Working Preacher, RevGalBlogPals, and others. She is grateful to be in ministry with Living Table today.

Share this Pastoral Notes

post from Rachael

Leave a Comment