Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son. May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice. May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness. May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.

Psalm 72:1-4

In my role as Director of Donor Relations and Church Partnerships at Lutheran Charities, I have the honor of worshipping with a different Lutheran congregation every Sunday. These Sundays are a special gift to me as God shows me leaders and people with a heart for the poor and the oppressed as well as those who need care and love. The pastors are filled with a keen sense of justice and this infuses the people with a strong desire to share, nurture and walk with their neighbor through good times and   bad.

Those who show concern for the people served by Liberty Lutheran, the other Social Ministry Organizations of Lutheran Charities, and all who are in need  in our communities, are prosperous in spirit and love. Their righteousness is felt and their goodness is like a shawl around their church and community.

They push back against the forces of oppression, hate and judgement to render aid in the name and the manner of Jesus. Through our shared service, we bring the justice, righteousness and deliverance of God into this world.

Lord, remember those who are in need of the ministry of the people of God and who depend upon us to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Let us render aid without judgement, by giving generosity of our goods and our prayers.  Amen.

Barbara Stechert is the Manager of Donor Relations and Ministry Partnerships for Lutheran Charities in Southeastern Pennsylvania.