This week Donald Trump was sworn in again as president of the USA. He declared the day Liberation Day. This word has always been deeply theological to me. Coming from the Latin American worldview on theology the idea of deep and abiding freedom from oppression, injustice, and corruption was a revolutionary act for people dealing with war, poverty, and humiliation.
In the US we talk a lot about freedom. It’s often very individualized. My freedom to carry a weapon, say what I want, worship how I am led. Liberation is communal. It is about a changing of the systems, and sometimes comes at the cost of individual freedoms, especially for those who have benefitted from the oppressive systems. Liberation embraces the upside down kindom of Jesus where the last become first and the first become last. Where the powerful are cast down and the poor lifted up.
I believe most people long for liberation. We know that our world isn’t right. That the way we live is not fully of God. We want our leaders to set us on a new path so that we might truly live as God made us to be. Sometimes however those leaders turn from human dignity and lifting up the least among us to actions that promise safety and security for some. And in an uncertain world that can be tempting, but God calls us to the valley of shadows and self-sacrifice. No matter who is the president or the governor or the pastor it is up to each of us to work towards the liberation of others. So donate where you can to those who are in need. Speak words of love and kindness in the world. Call it injustice where you see it. Find others who are interested in liberation and join forces. And together, as a parish, as a people, we can practice liberating love and truly bring about liberation day for all people.
-Eilidh
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