The work of justice is God’s work.
It is not easy but it is an easy burden. I write these words in light of so many justice-seeking endeavors all around our city, state, and world. People are joining organized efforts to make justice happen. I believe justice is an easy burden because one can see where one is going. If you don’t have an end in sight, it can be exhausting.
Think of those teachers and supporters who walked from Tulsa to Oklahoma City during the Oklahoma Teacher Walk Out. They marched to fight with others demanding more financial support for education in our state. Having done my share of marching, I know how tired a body can feel. Our member Kara Holt learned this lesson with the shape her feet were in at the end of each day. But with a rhythm one can push through the physical challenges to achieve the goal.
One gathers strength from our vast reservoir within. One doesn’t know how vast our inner strength is until one calls upon it over and over. Yes, we are marvelously made and we have an inherent divinity that is always keeping us in that place of uplift. We don’t know until we need it.
Justice is a compass
Justice, in my experience, is a compass. We are directionally challenged unless we notice who is suffering. Once we understand the sufferer is our brother/sister/cousin we start moving towards the Justice Trail.
But here is the fine point: Our voice MUST be united in an organized fashion with others. Solitary efforts in the presence of power do not make significant changes.
We are supposed to be interrelated with the understanding that we all are supposed to be free. Liberation then has no geographical boundaries. The human family needs one another to work together for good.
I realize some reading this might think this is a little too altruistic.
But why not?
If justice is love in public then no physical limitation can stop love.
I challenge all of you who worship at All Souls to use the theme of Justice this month to stretch beyond the familiar to embrace the other. We can build a community of justice-seeking folk by living out our quest for everyone to be recognized as our relative.
By recognizing the dignity of the other, we see the common divinity in each other.
You can join me in learning more about social justice issues through All Souls Reads – a book discussion group which selects literature exploring the human condition when encountering and overcoming oppressive circumstance. Books can be purchased at the Book Store at All Souls. The group meets on the second Sunday of the month and on Wednesdays during Wednesday Connections.
If you’d like to get involved with Justice issues at All Souls, I encourage you to check out our Criminal Justice Outreach team and ACTION- All Souls. All Souls is a proud partner of ACTION Tulsa. On May 24th, ACTION Tulsa is hosting Action after the Walk Out. All Souls Criminal Justice Outreach is hosting a screening of Grey Matter in partnership with Poetic Justice on June 6th.
Join us at All Souls on every Sunday in May to explore the theme of JUSTICE.
We’d love to have you with us in-person or online, together in community and covenant.
Live stream services are at 10:00 a.m. CST for our Traditional service or the 11:30 a.m. CST Contemporary service.
Listen to all our services, including the Humanist Hour (Sundays at 11:30 a.m.) on our weekly podcast, too.
Rev. Gerald Davis serves as the minister of Church of the Restoration Unitarian Universalist and as an Affiliate Minister at All Souls Unitarian Church, both in Tulsa,Oklahoma.
