The Music of Justice
The Carillon Singers performed last Sunday, offering a program filled with the beautiful and familiar sounds of the season, the last blast of Christmas. Their concert closes the chapter on Christmas music this year, yet the harmony and melody continues to fill my heart with lingering delight. Just as “God among us” is celebrated when the traditions are kept, the food is served and the least among us are considered, everyday epiphanies continue to invite reflection on that ancient story. The birth of a child always startles us into considering the power of that presence. While grateful to put away the decorations and the wrapping, the longing for the transformative power in this story remains.
The season of Epiphany challenges us to be aware that we are part of something larger than ourselves. When we pay attention, appreciation of that presence grows. The problem is that often we confuse tuning into the Spirit with tuning into church. I’d like to think it is possible for both to happen simultaneously, but the Spirit’s presence needs to be felt for more than one hour a week, and move us beyond our comfort zone. As people of faith we find ourselves in wonder filled new circumstances. While prepared to be surprised by the working of the spirit, we wonder what work is ours for today.
This week’s gospel reading gives us a clue. It is the beginning of Jesus' ministry as told by the gospel writer we call Luke, in his fourth chapter. Jesus returns from the wilderness after his baptism, and goes to the synagogue in his home town of Nazareth as is his custom. At the invitation of his elders, he unrolls the scroll to the prophet Isaiah, and begins to read about the jubilee, the part where the prophet brings good news to the captives, release to the poor, sight to the blind and lets the oppressed go free. It is his agenda, social action at its best! Do you think this is welcome news to those who hear it? Does it benefit the lives of the powerful to reflect on the power of the Spirit, when it includes good news to those who are oppressed? This is the hard work of a living faith, but it matters.
A shift of power is envisioned. Good news for the oppressed means something completely different for the oppressors. For Luke, living into the kingdom of God is about living into justice. The story we sing about has justice as the melody. As we embark on the spirit led work before us, attuning our ears for what makes us uncomfortable, and allow our assumptions about place and privilege to be challenged might help. A generous measure of love will also be good company as we walk with the Spirit. When love is our partner, the power shifts and suddenly, the words we sing at Christmas find their way into our being and living and dreaming. That is faith for today and for tomorrow.