This Sunday is the 12th Sunday of Kingdomtide. On Wednesday November 11, is Veterans Day. It is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on the actual day of November 11 for honoring military veterans; persons who have served in the United States Armed Forces. So, as a proud United States Air Force Veteran, I certainly wanted to honor all of our U.S. Military Veterans, especially including women, (whose contributions have not always been appropriately recognized and appreciated.)
The causes and casualties of war have taken a terrible burden on our world, our nation, and our people. Since the end of the draft and, especially today, the burden of carrying the pain and casualties have and are being disproportionately borne by the poor, the middle class, and people of color. If you ask me, that “‘ain’t’ fair.”
So thinking about the upcoming Veteran Day next week, I was drawn to that famous line that is part of the assigned sacred text for this week; Amos 5:24, “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” The Prophet Amos had just spoken to warn God’s people who had abandoned God and forsaken God’s covenant, who were now complaining that “Life Ain’t Fair.” The prophet had told them “You’re right, Life ain’t fair; but God is more than fair.” He went on to tell them that you do not get to experience God’s more than fairness; with religious rituals held at holy shrines and bragging about how righteous you are. To avail yourself of God’s fairness, (today we call it God’s grace and mercy or God’s favor,) by practicing to “let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” This is a lesson we need to learn especially for these times in which we live. It is a lesson I will be preaching on this Sunday.
So, join us at Covenant for worship Sunday by ZOOM or Facebook livestream this Sunday at 11:30 am. My sermon is “Life ‘Ain’t’ Fair; But God is More Than Fair” based on the Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16 and Amos 5:18-24.”
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