Be like Abraham and help those who need advocates

Today's first reading at church is one from Genesis 18:20-32, and it recounts when the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was imminent. God has had enough of their misbehavior, and he wants to wipe the slate clean. Abraham, always the faithful servant of God, stands up to God: "see how I am presuming to speak to my Lord, though I am but dust and ashes!" Abraham is going to bat for the people who have kept their faith, and who he feels don't deserve the punishment that is coming. He starts the negotiation with fifty people-- if fifty are innocent, would God spare the city? God agrees. Abraham chooses to negotiate even further, eventually getting it to ten. If ten innocent people are there, will God spare the city? And God agrees that for even ten, he will with-hold punishment.

I've been thinking about this passage a lot lately, and it was a pleasant (and slightly spooky) surprise to me that this is the reading today. (And I'm reading!) The news cycle is filled past bursting with hollow, nasty, deviant, disgusting, abusive people. And the ones who wish to shield them are just as bad. It feels to me like a modern Sodom and Gomorrah; despicable behavior is running rampant, and is being aided and abetted (and participated in) by people in the highest positions of authority. Innocent people are being hunted, hurt, and abused, and have been for decades by these same people. God's justice would be warranted, I am pretty sure. Human justice has been warped.

Yet, there are those people who are the up-standers, those who protest the abuses, who try to help and heal and who hold out their hands to those who are being targeted and abused. It takes bravery and faith to risk the notice of the monsters, but they do it. Things have to come to an ugly head, I assume. I can only hope and pray that God will spare those who have been trying their level best. I believe He will. 

Have a good day,

C




Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks for stopping by!

Popular posts from this blog

My book is featured today on Finishing Line Press-- please share the info and the fun!

Image
NEW FROM FINISHING LINE PRESS:  What to Keep   by Carlene M. Gadapee On SALE :     https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/what-to-keep-by-carlene-m-gadapee/   What to Keep  is a collection of keen #observations: choices made, minor regrets, small successes, and questions asked. There aren’t always answers to the questions, but the #poems in this collection explore the particular things and #experiences that lead us to them. Readers are invited into the poet-speaker’s musings about #childhood, of #family, of #companionship, and of #loss. We follow the speaker as she walks through time: capturing minnows, high school crushes and college mistakes, #marriage, the deaths of parents, and finally, a note of hope for the future, whatever it may have in store. In the end, “what to keep” becomes what remains, what is precious, and what forms the foundation of a #life filled with joy, sorrow, and finally, of contentment.   A poet-teacher both by vocation...
Read more

My Chapbook is Ready to Meet the World!!

Image
HI everyone-- At long last, my chapbook is ready to meet the world! I really appreciate everyone's support and your confidence in me. I hope you know that you are all a part of this grand adventure in some way. Please feel free to share this email and the link below as widely as you can! Thank you, Carlene M. Gadapee https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/what-to-keep-by-carlene-m-gadapee/ Pre-order Price Guarantee until December 20 , 2024 RESERVE YOUR COPY TODAY This title will be released on February 14 , 2025
Read more

Judy Collins in concert-- a real gift

Image
Hearing Judy Collins sing, tell jokes, and reminisce about the years she spent surrounded by other iconic folk singers was just wonderful. It felt like we were all in her living room, just listening, laughing, and sighing along-- the audience sang with her at times, talked with her at times, and in general, we felt held. Held by the music, by her kindness, by her humor-- very much needed in these turbulent times. It's easy to forget our common humanity in the face of so much ugliness, but Judy brought us back to our Selves, back to what makes us funny and fragile beings.  At 86 years of age, she is not really slowing down much, although it is clear that she knows her energy well. Instead of trying to impress, she just wanted to engage with the audience. It was lovely, and the venue, The Colonial Theatre in Bethlehem, was the perfect size. The entire concert felt personal. And I, for one, am in awe of how she handled that Martin 12-string. Her piano playing was beautiful as well, an...
Read more