Societal evils

This last week with Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday and events happening as far as India to Richmond, Virginia and as close as schools and communities in this area, I’ve been left thinking a lot about the evils that exist in society. These sins that happen all around us are built into the systems we live in, support, and sustain.

Societal evils are in no way new as they were clearly present in ancient and biblical times including evils from dehumanization to slavery to poverty to misogyny, etc. The list of evils goes on, but as Martin Luther King Jr. said, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” This arc bends towards justice, not simply because it is inevitable, but because throughout history people have been naming evils and moving society away from them, following the call toward’s the reign of God. After prayer and struggle, King Jr. once heard God answering him, “‘Martin Luther, stand up for righteousness. Stand up for justice. Stand up for truth.’” This call from God is what helped King continue the work towards justice, fighting for racial and economic equality, and this call, I pray, is what may motivate all of us as well.

For those of us who are Christian, we can look to Jesus’ proclamation in Luke 4:18–19 as a stepping off point for mission in our lives. Jesus says: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because God has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. [God] has sent me to proclaim the release of the captives and recovery of sight from the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Empowered by the life and ministry of Jesus, we too can strive to live out our faith in the same way, reaching out through words and actions, striving to connect humanity in the undying love of Christ Jesus.

So what are the evils and sins happening in the systems around you? Where are fellow creations, neighbors, those we are called to love, calling out for help? As each of us is a member of the body of Christ, when one is harmed, we are all harmed, but I believe we've been ignoring those cries of pain from our siblings. King Jr. once spoke of the parable of the Good Samaritan saying, “I imagine that the first question the priest and Levite asked was: 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?' But by the very nature of his concern, the good Samaritan reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?” This second question, “What will happen to him” is the one we are called to ask. God calls us beyond ourselves to care for those around us, to love our neighbors, therefore loving God through that action.

Moving forward, may we each take a look around and notice the evils in our time now. May we remember that all populations, groups, and societies, whether we agree with their way of life or not, are made up of fellow children of God. 100% of them are beloved human beings who deserve the love, care, and compassion modeled for us by Christ. When our neighbors cry in pain, may we hear the cries of racism and may we ask what we can do end that pain. May we hear the cries of income inequality, and may we ask what will happen to those living in poverty if we do nothing. May we notice the pain we inflict when we imply that those who are somehow “different” from us are worth less than us, and may we work to correct it. May we work to name and claim the rights and worth of all of God’s divinely created children. May we work to lift up the gifts of every member of this beautiful creation and praise God for their existence. What will happen to them if we don't? What joy and abundant love could be shared if we do?

Pastor Sharayah Robinson Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Kathryn-NomeFingal Parish