"But walking on your paths in daily life is not easy. If it was simply a matter of staying on course through a canal, there would be no challenge. However, our days are full of twists and turns.
"Early in the morning, I turn on the TV. Oh no! Another mass shooting. Nine persons were killed. It's terribly upsetting. And this year, there have already been 232 mass killings in the USA, leaving aside those killings of three persons or less. Have we become numb to such evil? Will there ever be a day without a needless death?
"And now, here in Canada, is reason to feel national pride? People say, 'We don't have those kinds of deaths.' Now, I learn of 215 children dead and buried at a residential school in BC between 1890 and 1970. Those children, educated under the protection of the Roman Catholic church, were supposed to be safe. What brought about the deaths of so many Aboriginal children? Who caused their deaths? What is going to happen as this First Nation seeks justice?
"It seems as if endless violence surrounds us. I know this is not really the full picture, for much good is done every day. Thank you, Lord, for the thousands of persons helping on the front lines against the Covid-19 virus in hospitals, labs, clinics, and pharmacies. Thank you for scientists, surgeons, engineers, educators, and people in all kinds of professions.
"One way to avoid the pain of modern life, Lord, would be to simply turn off the TV and radio. If I lived as a hermit, things such as covered-up, hidden graves would not cut into my conscience. One way to leave the path of righteousness would be to close my mind to it. Let it all stay "out there." That might be like turning to the right.
"Another way would be to scream in rage, lashing out on social media, implicating innocent people before the normal course of justice has its day in court. That might be turning away from your path and going to the left. Hatred is easy to foster. Encouraging the love of our neighbor seems impossible.
"Perhaps at moments like these, the way to walk in your path is to cry out with words found in Scripture, quotations from many psalms. Back then, godly men and women called for justice and righteousness. Were people that much different in millennia-long gone? 'Your tongue plots destruction. It is like a sharpened razor you who practice deceit. You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. You love every harmful word, O you deceitful tongue!" (Psalm 52:3,4) Surely, the powerful sentiments passing through my heart because of great injustice are not new to you.
"Heavenly Father, I fall down at your feet. Help me to walk in your paths! Enable us as your people in this day and age to discern what words accurately echo your Word. In this world, there is much falsehood, much evil, multiplied violence, and great ignorance of your path.
"So, loving Savior, I come to you in humility, for I know you want us, like the earliest Christians, to be joyful, living abundant lives, displaying your kindness through good works. May we, as your people, honor you this day. I want to be known as People of the Way." Amen.
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