Taking Sides
Bible Excerpt from Psalm 124
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—let Israel now say…
Reflection by Felix Carrion
Taking sides: we've been doing it ever since childhood. Really: how far back does this practice go?
The most beautiful claim is: God is on our side. The most dangerous claim is: God is on our side.
It is a beautiful claim when we know that "if it had not been the Lord who was on our side," we would have been lost and without hope in our world; tragedy or loss would have swallowed us up. Let each of us now say how this is true in our lives.
It is the most beautiful claim when we know that "if it had not been the Lord who was on our side" means on the side of all of humanity, not just on the side of one part of the human family. God is on the side of all people everywhere, no matter their faith expression or religious affiliation.
It is the most dangerous claim when "if it had not been the Lord who was on our side" means that God is on my side because of my religion or because of the nation I belong to. God is not the sole property or possession of one people or one nation or one nationality. (Multiple wars have been fought in the name of this claim.)
Let us once and forever know that God is only on one side: the side of humanity, living in God's creation, as one human family. Let us now say, "God bless the whole world."
Prayer
O God, now teach me to be on your side.
Bible Excerpt from Psalm 124
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—let Israel now say…
Reflection by Felix Carrion
Taking sides: we've been doing it ever since childhood. Really: how far back does this practice go?
The most beautiful claim is: God is on our side. The most dangerous claim is: God is on our side.
It is a beautiful claim when we know that "if it had not been the Lord who was on our side," we would have been lost and without hope in our world; tragedy or loss would have swallowed us up. Let each of us now say how this is true in our lives.
It is the most beautiful claim when we know that "if it had not been the Lord who was on our side" means on the side of all of humanity, not just on the side of one part of the human family. God is on the side of all people everywhere, no matter their faith expression or religious affiliation.
It is the most dangerous claim when "if it had not been the Lord who was on our side" means that God is on my side because of my religion or because of the nation I belong to. God is not the sole property or possession of one people or one nation or one nationality. (Multiple wars have been fought in the name of this claim.)
Let us once and forever know that God is only on one side: the side of humanity, living in God's creation, as one human family. Let us now say, "God bless the whole world."
Prayer
O God, now teach me to be on your side.
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