July 14: Amos 7:7-17 Psalm 82 Col 1:1-14 Luke 10:25-37
Reflection on Psalm 82
We have had Royal Commissions investigating institutional sexual abuse, and institutional financial abuse. Such abuses destroys lives and livelihoods. It confounds the people on the receiving end of abuse. They do not know where to turn for help. According to the Psalmist, as far as God is concerned, abusers “have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk around in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.” When trust in institutions is broken on a large scale, the foundations of a society are shaking. Distrust of authority multiplies.
As children of the Most High, we are a royal priesthood, God’s go-betweens. What do we as princes and princesses of the Most High do to support survivors of abuse in their confusion, self-doubt, and despair? Or do they have to call on God to judge the earth? And what do we do to support abusers who are also creatures of God, “without knowledge and understanding”, but for whom Christ died? What does redemption and restitution look like for them?
The UCA as an institution is working hard on being a safe place, and leaders take the step of obtaining WWVP Cards. Prevention is better than cure via Royal Commissions. We are God’s go-betweens for both abused and abusers.