Open to the Spirit
Today’s word: Liberation
addictions, I did not feel myself called to mission work. Instead I felt my mission was field was wherever I happened to be at the moment. It was clear to me the work of liberation was everywhere, ongoing and as common as everyday
Like the master teacher, we are all sent, each one of us. Some to far away places, to learn from those we serve and discover in becoming one with them our own path to freedom. Others of us will do our liberation work closer to home - speaking out and acting for justice within our own neighbourhoods, workplaces or professions. Still others are sent within, called to do the deeper inner work, freeing our families and loved ones by setting our own spirits free.
At the heart of liberation is the willingness to recognize and root out oppression in all its subtle and myriad forms. Only when we cure ourselves of our own blindness can we invite each other to the freedom circle. Only then can we begin to radiate freedom in wider and wider circles of relationship. So let’s do the work together, and while we’re at it - let’s keep singing, “Circle round for freedom, circle round for peace, for all of us imprisoned, circle for release.”
) The word Liberation, brought to mind the obvious reference to a famous movement of the 60’s and 70’s, The Woman’s Liberation Movement. This progressive campaign brought so many good changes to society. It also led to a political effort to change the American Constitution with the Equal Rights Amendment. This would have guaranteed equal rights for men and women. This makes so much sense, and I still cannot believe that so many states refused to pass this justice initiative, and it failed.
What I would like to write about today though is another use of the term, Liberation Theology. This was a movement that began in Latin America with a priest named Gustavo Gutierrez. It was a social and religious concern for oppressed peoples. One of his quotes always speaks to me; “if there is no friendship with the poor, and no sharing of the life of the poor, then there is no authentic commitment to liberation, because love only exists among equals.” This theology spread rapidly and challenged the Roman Catholic Church, and others, to change their ways. Another quote which came from a Brazilian bishop is probably better known; “To the poor, God comes as bread.” When we look at our current conditions, war again in the Middle East, famine in Africa, human trafficking, and systemic racism, maybe we need to revive Liberation Theology.
In my mind, this view began with Scripture. In a synagogue in Nazareth, where Jesus grew up and lived, these are the words of his first message to begin his ministry; “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because God has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, proclaim release of the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and to let the oppressed go free.” He was quoting the prophet Isaiah. Jesus lived this belief every day, as he walked daily with the homeless, the poor, and the oppressed. How about us? How can we live this message of Liberation in today’s world.
) Spring can be both a time to straighten up our souls as much as our homes. It is no coincidence that the time before Passover and Easter (and this year, Ramadan) often coincides with the annual ritual of “Spring Cleaning”. As the weather warms--at least we hope--and the flowers get ready to bloom, many of us have a natural urge to clean up and “start fresh”. The growth of spring means that we can both physically and spiritually come out of our darkness, and begin the process of healing and liberation that we know is near.
This year, there is also a bit of expectation of so much more freedom as we approach summer. We are hoping that our world may begin to open up as at least some of the pandemic restrictions are lifted, and we do see some light ahead. Yet, since the exact time of our “liberation” is not clear, we can use the time to prepare ourselves so we can enter this new time as strong as we possibly can be.
Over these weeks, we can work to free ourselves from our own personal enslavements so we can be in a place of clarity and openness when we can step back into the world. What challenges, what people have been holding you back from achieving your greatest potential? When have you not been your best self, and when have you let your ego control your actions? What have you done spiritually to keep yourself centered in the midst of the challenges of life?
We can spend the upcoming weeks searching for our true selves. From our individual moments of liberation, to remembering our obligation to each other and to our community during these strange times, this is the time for the most meaningful growth. May this truly be a time of positive change and inspiration for us all.
) “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has chosen me. He has commissioned me to encourage the poor, to help the broken-hearted, to decree the release of captives.” This is a familiar scripture passage to both Jews and Christians. It was first delivered by the prophet named Isaiah, to the people of Israel recently returned from captivity in Babylon, and centuries later spoken by Jesus to a group gathered in synagogue to study the sacred text. In both cases it was a text that the people of the day needed to hear for they lived in a land where to be poor, or broken-hearted or captive was common place.
If the truth be told we, in our day, would also benefit from hearing this encouragement. There are many ways to become enslaved either by outside forces or personal demons. There are many kinds of poverty, physical emotional and spiritual. Broken-heartedness just seems to come with the territory of loving in a world where all things are temporary. The underlying message in this text is that this Spirit of Life, the name I have taken to calling God, has not abandoned us. Deep inside each of us we know that we could be living more liberated lives and this is why these words ring true. Throughout history different messengers have been sent to us bringing this same encouragement. These days we see them on protest signs held high by people willing to risk their lives to peacefully remind us that we are still held captive to ways and ideas that subjugate many for the pleasure of the few. To my mind it’s the Spirit of Life that sends us into the streets to protest that Black Lives Matter and we must Idle no More and that maybe Occupying Wall Street is a necessary way to bring attention to how far off course we as a society have come.
For every generation the Spirit of Life calls us to follow in the footsteps of the prophet Isaiah, Jesus and others less known to me, by taking up the challenge to bring encouragement to the poor, help to the broken-hearted, and liberation to all those held in captivity. Let us join forces and answer that challenge with a resounding ‘yes.’
One word, four voices, what does Liberation mean to you?
Rev. Mead Baldwin pastors the Waterville & North Hatley pastoral charge; Rabbi Boris Dolin leads the Dorshei-emet community in Montreal; Rev. Lee Ann Hogle ministers to the Ayer’s Cliff, Magog & Georgeville United Churches; Rev. Carole Martignacco, Unitarian Universalist is retired from ministry with Uuestrie and now resides in St. Andrews bythe-sea NB, but keeps one foot in the Townships by continuing with this column.