Jesus also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? Luke 12:54-56

Throughout the history of God’s people, in times of corruption or idolatry, prophets speaking on God’s behalf urged God’s people to be awake, to open their eyes to what is happening and to act as God desires for them and for creation.

What is happening right in front of us? While it is tempting to distract ourselves by focusing on the mundane – whether it will rain or how hot it will be – we are called to stay awake and notice what is happening in our nation, our world.

If we open our eyes, we will see that there are vulnerable people in our nation who are not being protected by our laws, not being served by our justice system. This is a time when we must stand firmly on the side of the least: the poor, the outcast, the food insecure, the homeless, the men and women who look differently or speak differently.

How can we take this stand?

We can support our Summer Block Party on Saturday, August 13th that will raise funds for Quakertown Community Outreach, an organization that provides resources to the homeless.

We can support the local Loaves and Fishes Dinner on September 1st that provides a free meal each month for those who are food insecure.

We can support our summer garden by the activity center where we are growing fresh produce to give to the Quakertown Food Pantry.

It can be exhausting to see all of the violence, the hatred, and the injustice in our country. It is tempting to close our eyes or to turn away, but Jesus calls us to wake up, to take note, and to act. One way, we can protect ourselves from becoming burnt out is to focus on what we can do and what we cannot do.

A quote is currently circulating on Facebook, which I would like to share as you keep your eyes and hearts open to the least in our nation and our world:

Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk hum-bly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.

Do not be daunted, but do not abandon God’s work, for we Lutherans know that God’s work can be and is accomplished through our hands.

In Christ, Pastor Kat