Before the Courts As Witnesses to Life
Gathering:
L: Come all you who dare to break the unjust laws of the land! You are welcome here.
P: Let us gather together and we will figure out ways to feed and give drink to those whom some say shouldn't be fed.
L: We will teach ourselves ways to provide a home for those whom some say deserve no home.
P: We will conspire to heal those whom some say do not deserve to be healed.
L: We will dare to try and free those whom some say should be forgotten in their jail cells.
P: We will recognize as human those whom some say are less than human.
L: We will affirm the love and love-worthiness of those whom some say are un-lovable.
P: We will steal ourselves to face with courage and faith those whom some say should only be feared.
L: Come all you who obey God's divine law! You are welcome here.
P: Let us gather together and pray.
Song:
"Be Not Afraid"
Scripture:
Luke 21:12-15 - 12 But . . . they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14 So make up your minds not to worry beforehand about how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
Luke 12:11-12 - 11 When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you are to defend yourselves, or what you are to say; 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say.
Additional Texts: Matt. 10:16-20; Mark 13:9-13; Acts 4:1-22, 5:17-42, 6:8-15, 16:16-40, 21:27ff)
Reflection:
Why did Jesus single out religious and secular institutions as places to bear witness? Why preach where power is exercised and public policy is decided? Jesus knew that Christian witness happens when normal patterns of behavior, religious dogmas, and complacent civil authorities are challenged. Questions are generated. There is only one specific situation for which the spirit is promised in the synoptic gospels. "It is when one is brought before the courts" (Stendhall). In John 16:2, 7-11 the Spirit is called the parakletos, meaning comforter, advocate or attorney. In the courts God defends the oppressed, the suppressed, and repressed.
Sharing:
Fears and Hopes
Prayer
(See Praying with the Anabaptists, Kropf and Hall, pp. 74-75 or 100-101 or 173-5.)
Song:
"Guide My Feet"
Resources:
"Jesus Before Pilate" by Frank Panopoulos
"Examining Jesus' Response to Surveillance" by Bill Kellermann
"The Arc Bends Towards God's Justice" Defense statement by F. Davis
"Peace Be With You" by Cornelia Lehn
L: Come all you who dare to break the unjust laws of the land! You are welcome here.
P: Let us gather together and we will figure out ways to feed and give drink to those whom some say shouldn't be fed.
L: We will teach ourselves ways to provide a home for those whom some say deserve no home.
P: We will conspire to heal those whom some say do not deserve to be healed.
L: We will dare to try and free those whom some say should be forgotten in their jail cells.
P: We will recognize as human those whom some say are less than human.
L: We will affirm the love and love-worthiness of those whom some say are un-lovable.
P: We will steal ourselves to face with courage and faith those whom some say should only be feared.
L: Come all you who obey God's divine law! You are welcome here.
P: Let us gather together and pray.
Song:
"Be Not Afraid"
Scripture:
Luke 21:12-15 - 12 But . . . they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14 So make up your minds not to worry beforehand about how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
Luke 12:11-12 - 11 When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you are to defend yourselves, or what you are to say; 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say.
Additional Texts: Matt. 10:16-20; Mark 13:9-13; Acts 4:1-22, 5:17-42, 6:8-15, 16:16-40, 21:27ff)
Reflection:
Why did Jesus single out religious and secular institutions as places to bear witness? Why preach where power is exercised and public policy is decided? Jesus knew that Christian witness happens when normal patterns of behavior, religious dogmas, and complacent civil authorities are challenged. Questions are generated. There is only one specific situation for which the spirit is promised in the synoptic gospels. "It is when one is brought before the courts" (Stendhall). In John 16:2, 7-11 the Spirit is called the parakletos, meaning comforter, advocate or attorney. In the courts God defends the oppressed, the suppressed, and repressed.
Sharing:
Fears and Hopes
Prayer
(See Praying with the Anabaptists, Kropf and Hall, pp. 74-75 or 100-101 or 173-5.)
Song:
"Guide My Feet"
Resources:
"Jesus Before Pilate" by Frank Panopoulos
"Examining Jesus' Response to Surveillance" by Bill Kellermann
"The Arc Bends Towards God's Justice" Defense statement by F. Davis
"Peace Be With You" by Cornelia Lehn