I simply want everything I do to be an act of worship to God. ********************EVERYTHING******************** like a spider's web, intricately woven, the threads of our lives are entwined, making us who we are, where we are, at this time in history.... here's a small record of one family's journey to love God

Thursday, April 19, 2007

This is not about charity, it's about justice

Here's part of Bono's award-acceptance speech (which award? I'm not sure! But it's a great sermon!)

True religion will not let us fall asleep in the comfort of our freedom. Love thy neighbour is not a piece of advice - it’s a command. And that means….that in the global village we’re gonna have to start loving a whole lot more people…..Where you live should not decide whether you live or whether you die.

So that bit wasn't the sermon, that was just Bono getting warmed up. Then he (in his own words) "climbs into the pulpit for just one moment":

God has a special place for the poor. The poor are where God lives. God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house. God is where the opportunity is lost and lives are shattered. God is with the mother who has infected her child with a virus that will take both their lives. God is under the rubble in the cries we hear during war time. God, my friends, is with the poor. And God is with us if we are with them. This is not a burden, this is an adventure and don’t let anyone tell you it cannot be done. We can be the generation that ends extreme poverty.

I keep wondering about this, wondering what the answers are. It's constantly mulling around in the back of my mind. But my actions betray a stronger interest in what to feed myself today or what to clothe my children with this winter.

3 comments:

Kris said...

Great post Rachael. I feel guilty about having so much when so many have so little. What can I do from home to help people in poverty?
We sponsor a child but that only helps one child and there are millions out there. I wish I could do more.
Have you been reading the recent posts on TNN about the environment? Although I think being environmentally friendly is hugely important I think poverty is a greater problem and it needs our attention now. Some would see these two issues tied together and I can see that too.
I love your blog! I keep thinking I should start a blog but I worry I'd not think of anything interesting to say. I can come up with plenty to comment on others views though!
Louise :)

Jen and family said...

I didnt know Bono was Christain
jen at http://jenz.wordpress.com/

skatey katie said...

i'm with you girl.
in my heart.
my actions need to catch up.