Dear Church,
Do you remember Veggie Tales? Larry the Cucumber, Bob the Tomato, and Mr. Lunt? Most of us either grew up watching Veggie Tales or our children did.
The creator of Veggie Tales, Phil Vischer, now has a podcast called The Holy Post that he co-hosts with Skye Jethani.
Recently Phil released a 17-minute video entitled “Race in America.” He looks at economics, criminal justice, law, policy, real estate, the “War on Drugs,” political history, statistics, etc. It’s a short history of how and why race in America matters today. He covers a lot of ground in 17 minutes.
Will you take 17 minutes to watch this video?
He ends with a challenge, an invitation, to care about the racial injustice in our history and how it continues to impact us today.
After you watch, will you join me in prayer? Below is a prayer written by Mark Young, President of Denver Seminary.
Have mercy on me, O Lord.
I have blinded my eyes. In spite of the clear evidence of deeply embedded racism all around me, I have looked the other way. Too many have died. Too many have suffered. Too many have been locked out and cast aside. Too many indignities. Too many injustices. And still I looked the other way.
Have mercy on me, O Lord.
I have hardened my heart. Believing the lie that blacks have the same opportunities as whites, I could not allow myself to admit that my life was shaped as much by racism as theirs—mine to benefit and theirs to harm. But it was and it is and it will continue to be. I have cared too little. I have grieved too little.
Have mercy on me, O Lord.
I have silenced my tongue. My voice has not been raised in prophetic rebuke and anger. My feet have not stepped out for justice alongside those who have more courage than I. And in my silence I am an accomplice to bigotry.
Forgive me, O Lord.
I have sinned against you and against those who suffer the evil of racism. Indifference has smothered my soul and snuffed out fleeting impulses for reconciliation. I ask for your forgiveness and I will appropriately seek their forgiveness.
Empower me, O Lord.
I need your strength to step beyond blindness, indifference and fear; to step toward those whom I have sinned against. I make no grandiose promises or plans today for I know how easily these can be made and forgotten. But this I know. I cannot be the same. And I will not.
Amen!
May our repentance move us into justice.
May our sorrow birth resolve and charity.
May our lament be seasoned with hope.
May our grief turn to joy as we see the Lord act and move to right every wrong.
In Christ,
Fr. Matt
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