We had a different reflection prepared for Lent this week, but the moment has shifted and we have a response to the tragic events in Georgia that ended in eight people being murdered, six of them Asian women, including Delaina Ashley Yaun 33; Xiaojie Tan, 49, Daoyou Feng, 44. Robert Long, 21, is charged with the murders. Violence against Asian Americans has seen a significant increase in 2020 compared with 2019. And all of this death and violence falls upon the same moment Congress is passing the renewal of the Violence Against Women Act, a pertinent reminder of the ongoing struggle for women’s safety in our society.

Not one soul leaves this life unnoticed by God; not one life is insignificant or unworthy of love and grace.

Not one soul leaves this life unnoticed by God; not one life is insignificant or unworthy of love and grace. Still, we are here and we endure the trials that are put before us, trying as we are able to help fight for justice, love and the freedom of each individual to live in peace, safeguarded from systemic racism or violence based on their gender. Our God is one of justice and faithfulness, at work even to redeem what we humans intend for evil.

There are no “others” in this created world; there is only a complex and overwhelming “us” that includes every person. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” writes John in 1 John 3:1. “And that is what we are!” We have a strong tendency to remember the part of the greatest commandment, to love God, and overlook the second part of that commandment, to love our neighbors as ourselves. (Matt. 22:36-40) We are one people. Despite our tendencies toward tribalism and exclusivity, we have all fallen short of creation and are living in the breach, reliant on God’s grace to bring us home to ourselves again.

Whenever a life is taken, known or unknown as that life might be the “us” watching from a distance or the “us” standing with the families or mourning those we love and see no longer, our little speak of blue and green earth is the less for it.

The Unmooring stands unequivocally against hate and racism in every form, including systemic racism, including from a pulpit or implied from a pastor or church leader. We are also against any form of verbal, emotional or physical abuse and violence directed at women and girls. God help us as we look to live each day with intention and love, and advocate for those who make up this beautiful and broken world.

Photo courtesy of Nicole Lima via Pexels