Lent: Week 5, Day 2: Beauty in the flaws

Micah 6:8 Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with your God. 

Speak out for those who have no voice. Protect the weak, feed the poor, free the slaves, and welcome the alien. The sovereign God calls each one of us to a larger community that's characterized by "fellow feeling." That is, we trust ourselves to God alone and are responsible for each other. ~Dan Clendenin

The people who Jesus called were people who were flawed and failed. We don't find Jesus lingering with people who thought they were living perfectly, in fact, he called out the inconsistencies and the heresies held by the powerful religious and political leaders of his time. He was impatient with their lack of empathy for marginalized people.

Today we also have failed political systems and flawed religious structures, ones that show little mercy for vulnerable people. I recently read that some of our leaders are asserting that empathy is a fundamental weakness in Western Civilization. They believe that it is destroying our society and structures. As we journey with Jesus to the cross during this season of lent, let us remember his kingdom values and the reason he was condemned to death.

"Jesus accepted the cost for promoting a world of loving-kindness.

His death resulted from his teachings and actions that challenged

religious and political establishments. He spoke of peace, not war;

of forgiveness, not vengeance; of kindness, not judgement; of mercy,

not condemnation; of humility, not arrogance; and of love, not fear.

He urged his followers: "If any want to become followers, let them

deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Mk 8:34)

~Joyce Rupp

Let us be discerning of the flaws in our present religious and political systems. This is the time to seek kingdom values and truth, even at a cost. Perhaps the blessing of systemic flaws is that it can lead us to greater truth and action if we do not let ourselves become despondent.

Prayer for Overcoming Indifference

For the sin of silence,

For the sin of indifference,

For the secret complicity of the neutral,

For the closing of borders,

For the washing of hands,

For the crime of indifference,

For the sin of silence,

For the closing of borders.

For all that was done,

For all that was not done,

Let there be no forgetfulness before the Throne of Glory;

Let there be remembrance within the human heart;

And let there at last be forgiveness

When your children, O God,

Are free and at peace.

~From Chaim Stern,

Song: Wake Up Jesus, Porter's Gate

Reflection

• As you reflect on our present reality, where do you see hopeful signs of the kingdom that Jesus called us to? - To do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8). 

• Where do you find beauty in flaws?

Resources

Clendenin, D. (March 9, 2025) That Fox Herod. Journey with Jesus.

Rupp, J. (2021) Return to the Root. Notre Dame, IN: Sorin Books

Stern, C. ed, Gates of Repentance (Central Conference of American

Rabbis, 1978). Dan Clendenin: dan@journeywithjesus.net