Sermon on justice

Went to Heritage Congregational in Madison on Sunday to hear my pastor preach. The text was 1 Kings 21:1-21a, involving King Ahab's desire to take over Naboth's vineyard to turn it into his very own veggie garden. The vineyard is Naboth's home and fights against this ridiculous atttempt to exercise eminent domain. But Jezebel, Ahab's wife, ends up getting Naboth killed so he can get what he wants. This story immediately made me think of all the other stories (perhaps in our psyche?) of the rich taking over land of the poor. Think: Shrek and his swamp, or the mountain in Emperor's New Groove. Or for a real, modern day example: Israel and Palestine, or even Harvard University's expansion into Allston. Human power ends up taking over and trumping the value of "home." Human life, dignity, and respect are nothing to powerful people like Ahab and Jezebel, who will whatever they need to get what they want. What is right becomes secondary to what is convienent. But God's justice demands otherwise. God's justice demands that we make sure that all people have what they need, including a home. This sermon was a part of a series of sermons during "Ordinary Time" (though ordinary time is not so ordinary!), to help us realize how to be a follower of Jesus everyday, during the every-day-ness of life, in order for our faith, words, and actions to be harmony. And we can begin by choosing justice intentionally and recognizing our place of privilege.

Recommended book: Bruggeman's "Prayers for a Privileged People"

One other note: I know I am in a liberal/progressive church when the lyrics of the hymn (God made from one blood) are "...parent, partner, roommate, friend."