For Social Justice

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

I had a conversation with my brother over breakfast this morning about the loss of civility when it comes to political discourse these days. It has saddened me to see that many of us are swayed more the talking heads spouting sound bites for increased television ratings, than by actually sitting across from someone who might think differently than you and with civility, dialoguing. This lack of civility has further entrenched those sitting on either side of this polarized political culture. 

Interestingly enough, I came across this interview with Michael Sandel, a professor of Ethics at Harvard. Very interesting and insightful...take a look. 

Just read Luke 4:1-13 which is the account of Jesus being tempted by Satan. I don't know why I haven't before, but I just began to compare the temptation of Jesus to the Temptation of Adam and Eve. Although, obviously, Satan tempted Jesus with many more things, mainly because he would not give in, it seems to me that at the heart of each story is the same temptation: the temptation to take control of the situation (be like God) and not trust in God. 

It seems to me that the heart of all sin is not trusting in God and trying to control our own lives. Are we going to further Adam's mistake, or follow the example of Jesus?