Speaking Prophetically, is not an easy thing. It’s not a comfortable thing, but it is a thing we are all called to do, and that we are, I truly believe, able to do. I start to write these words as I prepare to embark upon that exact task. No I’m not preparing a sermon to try and engage and challenge those who ear to live out their prophetic calling. No, I am stepping outside of my comfort zone, I am doing that which “isn’t me” but in truth “is me.” Confused yet? Perhaps I am as well.So let’s get my thoughts rolling and see where they lead us.
So what is this “isn’t me” but in truth “is me.” thing I am about to do? I’m about to go and live out a part of my discipleship and ministry by going forth and proclaiming the good news. But I said I ‘m not preparing a sermon, and no I am not going to go preach. So what is it? I’m going to to go speak on behalf of the voiceless. I’m going to go speak on behalf of the hungry and poor. I’m going to go into the halls of power, sit down with the people who are elected to represent me, (or work for them), and proclaim the living, restoring, liberating news of the gospel by advocating for justice. Lyle, the shy, quite, little spoken in one on one and small group conversation, is going to speak up, and say we need to protect the poor and vulnerable.
As I prepare to do this my mind drifts to spring 2007 in hot and humid Independence, MO. it was here that I sat in the conference chamber of the Auditorium as I heard Prophet-President Steven M. Veazey share words of counsel to the church. Words of counsel, which he was not presenting to the church for consideration to be canonized and included in the Doctrine and Covenants, and yet words that spoke to me and many others. Words that as I heard them felt as if they were scripture, and should be embraced as such. The Spirit moved amongst us, Steve by mid week had presented them for inclusion and felt a peace in doing so. When these words were being considered by the Aaronic Mass meeting I spoke on their behalf and the stirring that was within me. I have no idea what words I said. I know not what words ran through my head as I voted on each paragraph and the document as a whole, there as a member of the Aaronic Order, nor as we did the same as a whole conference.
What I can tell you, is as I heard these words, as I read these words, as I prayed over these words… I did not see myself where I am today. As I’ve used these words in sermons, papers, reflections. I did not see myself here today. Yet this morning as I awoke on lobby day, these words came to my mind:
Community of Christ,” your name, given as a divine blessing, is your identity and calling. If you will discern and embrace its full meaning, you will not only discover your future, you will become a blessing to the whole creation. Do not be afraid to go where it beckons you to go.
Jesus Christ, the embodiment of God’s shalom, invites all people to come and receive divine peace in the midst of the difficult questions and struggles of life. Follow Christ in the way that leads to God’s peace and discover the blessings of all of the dimensions of salvation. Generously share the invitation, ministries, and sacraments through which people can encounter the Living Christ who heals and reconciles through redemptive relationships in sacred community. The restoring of persons to healthy or righteous relationships with God, others, themselves, and the earth is at the heart of the purpose of your journey as a people of faith.
You are called to create pathways in the world for peace in Christ to be relationally and culturally incarnate. The hope of Zion is realized when the vision of Christ is embodied in communities of generosity, justice, and peacefulness. Above all else, strive to be faithful to Christ’s vision of the peaceable Kingdom of God on earth. Courageously challenge cultural, political, and religious trends that are contrary to the reconciling and restoring purposes of God. Pursue peace. There are subtle, yet powerful, influences in the world, some even claiming to represent Christ, that seek to divide people and nations to accomplish their destructive aims. That which seeks to harden one human heart against another by constructing walls of fear and prejudice is not of God. Be especially alert to these influences, lest they divide you or divert you from the mission to which you are called.
God, the Eternal Creator, weeps for the poor, displaced, mistreated, and diseased of the world because of their unnecessary suffering. Such conditions are not God’s will. Open your ears to hear the pleading of mothers and fathers in all nations who desperately seek a future of hope for their children. Do not turn away from them. For in their welfare resides your welfare. The earth, lovingly created as an environment for life to flourish, shudders in distress because creation’s natural and living systems are becoming exhausted from carrying the burden of human greed and conflict. Humankind must awaken from its illusion of independence and unrestrained consumption without lasting consequences. Let the educational and community development endeavors of the church equip people of all ages to carry the ethics of Christ’s peace into all arenas of life. Prepare new generations of disciples to bring fresh vision to bear on the perplexing problems of poverty, disease, war, and environmental deterioration. Their contributions will be multiplied if their hearts are focused on God’s will for creation.
The words bolded, italics, or both, especially the both, are what resonated in my head the most. For you see, without thinking about it, I found myself on a journey of embracing these words in new and different ways than I had before. I found myself learning, growing, speaking, and now today after three days of engaging speakers, worshiping with others, conversing, praying, learning, I’m going to the hill to live out these words. In particular as they relate to the suffering of my sisters and brothers around the globe who are hungry, those who are the verge of being so. (I have a lot of sisters and brothers, over 6 billion and your one of them). I’m going at a time when there is this mode of “slash everything” being expressed by some, this mode of governmental expression that includes proposals that will make those suffering the most suffer more and those who suffer least suffer the same or even less… I’m going to speak of healing, I’m going to speak upon those who can’t speak, for those here who may get the right to vote but seldom are heard and for those who don’t get to vote as they live elsewhere in the world, but whose lives and well being are on the table. It’s not a task I want to do, it is not a task I am comfortable in doing, but it is a task that as a minister of the Risen Living Christ, and as a disciple of Jesus the Christ, I am called to do. I encourage you to write your leaders, wherever you live, and advocate for the voiceless. To make phone calls, to visit in person. To advocate for those who you are called to serve. Even if you are not a follower of Christ, you are a member of the human family, and as such you are called to help ensure we bring an end to the pain and suffering in this world.
Please if you read this on 14 June 2011, keep all of us who will be visiting our members of Congress and our Senators today to speak on issues of hunger in your prayers and thoughts.
Peace be with you,
— Lyle II