In lieu of all the talk of debt talk and just living in these perilous conditions of men, I thought that I would share with you, an excerpt from yesterday's reading of "Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals."
"Basil was born to a peasant family near Moscow, in the late 1400s. He left home at sixteen to devote himelf to a life of asceticism. He did not have a permanent home but instead walked around barefoot and in rags, exhibiting extraordinary humility in the face of punishment, ridicule, and derision. Like an Old Testament prophet, Basil challenged those in power about their treatment of the poor, marginalized and afflicted. He foretold misfortunes and preached the gospel to all who would listen, including the Tsar, Ivan the Terrible, who respected and feared Basil's gift of prophecy. Once, when Basil offered the Tsar a piece of raw meat during the lenten season, the Tsar rejected it. Basil boldly and truthfully asked him, "Then why do you drink the blood of men?" noting the Tsar's violent behavior toward innocent people."
Friends, America is in periolous times. From where are the Basils among us to arise? The Church (regardless of affiliation) has been too silent on this issue. Is it more convenient to remain silent and idly watch things happen as they may? If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything. It is now time for us to express outrage either collectively or individually. Christ came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Where do you stand? You are a voice in this world and you deserve to be heard. Just as the Tsar listened to Basil, and as King Ahasuerus listened to Esther as she pleaded for her people; you too shall be heard if you speak up. Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and show my people their trangressions and the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)
Peace,
Karsten
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