Words Are Useless Now

Words are useless now. Only simple, honest and sincere acts of kindness and repentance matter. Our only hope is love. Our only path is forgiveness. Our only future is together.

 “Words are useless now,” claims self-described subversive Christian and pacifist, Keith Giles, a formerly licensed and ordained minister, who walked away from organized church 11 years ago to start a home fellowship that gave away 100% of the offering they collected to the poor in their community. Yes, he does indeed make this claim, seemingly ironic here, but what we need to focus on is the rest of his statement.

In his most recent offering in “Patheos”, despite his prior turn of phrase, Giles does offer words that I think would be good for us to take to heart.  I interpret the author as saying that giving lip service to tragic hate-fueled events in the world doesn’t serve anyone.  Only a change of heart, coupled with real actions to work to affect the hate that beleaguers us, and turning toward God again, will make a difference.

The world is besieged by hate of the “other,” those different from ourselves in some form or fashion.  Such hate is more than evident most days in our country, and in the world.  Such hate was made apparent with a vengeance with the mass murder within worshipping communities in Christchurch, New Zealand.  

Yes, we must pray for those affected…I don’t think those words are useless.  But, in and of themselves, they aren’t enough.  Read this article, ponder it, and remember, if we are to help bring about needed change, our words must be followed by acts of kindness, forgiveness, hope, repentance and love.  I also believe we must show ourselves among those that are actively seeking peace and justice and the furthering of God’s realm here on earth.  May it be so.

 

Peace Feast: Breaking Bread With Our Muslim Neighbors

Submitted by
Linda Jones
CCK Staff

 

 

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