“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

– Matthew 5:7-9 (NRSVUE)

My heart is troubled because our country and our world are hurting. Every day it seems more people choose violence over peace and prefer hating others instead of loving them.

Our news and social media feeds are filled with images of immigration raids and protests in Los Angeles and across our country, bombings in the Middle East, and the continued war in Ukraine and Russia.

We need to rise up and say, “Enough! Fear won’t win!” It is time to answer God’s call to be hope for our hurting world. Let us proudly speak and live that race, culture, economic status, gender, and sexuality cannot challenge our unity, and that we are one humanity.

Rise up with abundance in the face of scarcity; courage in the face of fear; generosity in the face of greed, and peace-living in the face of violence. Let us take courage in the name of Jesus and stand together to make America a world that confesses love, inclusion, equality, and equity in beloved community. Let us offer our love and solidarity with the migrant community, those under severe fear and insecurity.

Let us live with a clear confession of faith that our differences are precious and beautiful, and our diversity is strength. Let us name again those things that trouble us and strive to make history by resolving them through the transformation of pure and boundless love.