Here’s a litany contrasting the words of scripture
with the words of Cesar Chavez, the 20th century American labor
leader and civil rights activist. It comes from the National Farm Worker Ministry website.
Litany
When
we are really honest with ourselves, we must admit that our lives are all that
really belong to us. So, it is how we use our lives that determine what kind of
people we are. It is my deepest belief that only by giving do we find life.
For whosoever would
save his or her life will lose it,
and whoever loses his
or her life for my sake will find it. (Mark 8:35)
.
But
God did not promise us that the world would be humane and just. God gave us the
gift of life and allows us to choose the way we will use our limited time on
earth.
Therefore, choose
life that you and your descendants may live. (Deuteronomy 30:19)
Our
struggle is not easy. Those who oppose us are rich and powerful and they have
many allies in high places. We are poor. Our allies are few. But we have
something the rich do not own. We have our bodies and our spirits and the just
of our cause.
For the foolishness
of God is wiser than human kind,
and the weakness of God
is stronger than human kind. (1 Corinthians 1:25)
We
can choose to use our lives for others to bring about a better and a more just
world for our children. People who make that choice will know hardship and
sacrifice. But if you give yourself totally to the non-violent struggle for
peace and justice, you also find that people will give you their hearts and you
will never go hungry and you will never be alone. In giving yourself, you will
discover a whole new life full of meaning and love.
But they who wait for
the Lord shall renew their strength.
They shall mount up
with wings like eagles.
They shall run and
not be weary.
They shall walk and
not faint. (Isaiah
40:31)
What
do we want the churches to do? We don’t ask for more cathedrals. We don’t ask
for bigger churches or fine gifts. We ask for its presence with us, as God
among us. We ask the churches to sacrifice with the people for social justice,
and for love of brother and sister. We don’t ask for words. We ask for deeds… a
multitude of simple deeds for justice, carried out by men and women whose
hearts are focused on the suffering of the poor and who yearn, with us, for a
better world. Together, all things are possible!
Ask and it will be
given to you;
seek and you will
find.
Knock, and the door
will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)
Amen. Amen.
~
posted on the National Farm Worker
Ministry website. http://nfwm.org/education-center/worship-resources/litanies/
