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February 15
“You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so mere people can no longer terrify them.” 2 Timothy 4:1-5 NLT
Last year, CBF of Virginia held an event at Union Presbyterian Seminary. This event spotlighted two churches, divided among generational racial lines, who came together to build bridges within their community. This event was about learning from their stories.
During a Q&A session, one pastor was asked: “So many white Christians go to church to get away from things, away from politics. How do you convince your congregation to have hard conversations, to do the work of advocacy?” The response of Dr. Goolsby blew me away. “In the Black Church, we don’t have the luxury to get away. We must advocate for ourselves, our community and those in the margins.”
Love is justice. Psalm 10:18 says “You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so mere people can no longer terrify them.” At the beginning of this Psalm, the writer asks “Why, Lord, do you stand far off?” In so many ways, this was Dr. Goolsby’s response to the white, moderate church.
Lent is a season of sacrifice and transformation. Dr. Goolsby challenged me through his bold witness, calling into question the way I understand my faith in the world. How do I ‘not stand far off?’”
I have always understood conceptually that love equals justice. Through Goolsby’s challenge, I was pushed from understanding only, to living out faith differently in my everyday life. Concept turned into action transformation.
PRAYER: God, help us be transformed this Lenten season. May we be moved from conceptual knowledge to concrete action. Amen.
—Mark Snipes
Coordinator, CBF Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Justice Note
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development OFFICE OF COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT The 2022 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress
On a single night in 2022, roughly 582,500 people were experiencing homelessness in the United States. Six in 10 (60%) were staying in sheltered locations—emergency shelters, safe havens or transitional housing programs—and four in 10 (40%) were in unsheltered locations such as on the street, in abandoned buildings or in other places not suitable for human habitation.
There continues to be an overrepresentation of people who identify as Black, African American or African, as well as indigenous people (including Native Americans and Pacific Islanders) among the population experiencing homelessness compared to the U.S. population. People who identify as Black make up just 12% of the total U.S. population but comprise 37% of all people experiencing homelessness and 50% of people experiencing homelessness as members of families with children.
Learn more here.
Love, Justice & Relationships
The 2024 Emmanuel McCall Lenten Devotional series is prepared by Cooperative Baptist Fellowship family and friends for the season of Lent. The McCall Lenten series features wonderful reflections on God’s Word, thought-provoking questions, prayers, art, music, noteworthy information and resources for action. Available in English and Spanish, this Lenten resource is intended for use by individuals, small groups and congregations.
Join us as we journey together through Lent reflecting on these devotions and their calls to pursue justice for all of God’s people.
This passage is originally found in the 2024 Emmanuel McCall Lenten Devotional series, prepared by Cooperative Baptist Fellowship family and friends. It is a project of love that is designed to be read during the season of Lent, which begins February 14, 2024. Register to receive the daily devotional here.