A Call to Love, Justice, and Mercy
In times of division, uncertainty, and fear, we are reminded of our sacred calling as followers of Jesus: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This calling is not conditional. It is not shaped by political climates, shifting policies, or the fear that so often takes root in our world. It is, instead, a steadfast command to live as Christ did, proclaiming good news to the poor, releasing the captives, healing the broken, and standing in unwavering solidarity with the oppressed.
Today, we find ourselves in a world where policies and rhetoric increasingly threaten the dignity of the most vulnerable among us. Whether it is the immigrant seeking refuge, the marginalized struggling for equality, or the poor crying out for justice, we are witnessing a growing tide of fear, exclusion, and indifference. But as the Church, we are called to be different. We are called to love without hesitation, fear, or partiality. Our faith does not permit us to turn inward and ignore the suffering of others. Rather, it compels us to move outward to draw the circle wide, to welcome, to uplift, and to affirm the worth of all God’s children.
The apostle Paul describes love in 1 Corinthians as patient and kind, not envious or boastful, not arrogant or rude. This love does not insist on its own way, nor does it grow irritable or resentful. It rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. In a world of hostility and division, embodying this love is not easy, but it is necessary. It is our greatest testimony. It is how we reflect the boundless grace of Christ to those who need it most.
As the Church, we must resist narratives that breed fear and separation. We must refuse to be complicit in systems of injustice, exclusion, or hatred. Instead, we are called to listen with compassion, to build bridges where walls have been erected, and to stand in solidarity with those whose dignity is under threat. Our ultimate allegiance is to God’s kingdom, not to earthly powers. And in God’s kingdom, justice, mercy, and radical love reign.
So let us rise to this calling. Let us be a people who love boldly, act justly, and walk humbly with our God. Let our lives bear witness to a love that transcends politics, differences, and borders of all kinds. In doing so, may we be a light in the darkness, a source of hope in troubled times, and a reflection of Christ’s unfailing love to the world.
May we, as Christ’s Church, never grow weary in doing what is right. And may our love be a living testimony to the One who welcomed all and calls us to do the same.
-Deacon Deb Clifford