A hymn re: neighbors and refugees that the composer gives permission to freely share.

[woodsprite]

Numerous news sources are sharing that ICE plans to arrest thousands of immigrant families this Sunday, July 14,

Permission is given by the author, Carolyn Gillette, for free use of this hymn for congregations; please share it with pastors and church musicians (in your community and online), with activists, and with other people who might like to see it.

O God, You Give Us Neighbors
AURELIA 7.6.7.6 D ("The Church's One Foundation”)

O God, you give us neighbors for whom your love abounds.
They’ve come here seeking refuge; they work here in our towns.
Their children go to school here; they come to church and pray.
O Lord, we grieve when neighbors are being sent away.

O God, you give us neighbors in this world that divides.
We see them at the border; they’re struggling for their lives.
They’re hurting by the roadside, and by the river, too.
You call us to show mercy to neighbors loved by you.

O God, you give us neighbors and call us all to see
our common fears and longings, our shared humanity.
You call us all to listen to burdens they have known,
to hear the truth they tell us, to see the love they’ve shown.

O God, you give us neighbors; and now, what must we do?
This question asked of Jesus is one we ask anew.
May we not make excuses and choose to walk on by
these neighbors fleeing violence— some sent back now to die.

God, may we work for justice for those who live in fear;
may we show Christ’s compassion, and pray and persevere—
and by your Holy Spirit, in all we do and say,
may we stand up for neighbors now being sent away.

Biblical References: Luke 10:25-46; Leviticus 19:33-34; 24:22; Matthew 25:31-46
Tune: Samuel Sebastian Wesley, 1864
Text: Copyright © 2019 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Permission is given for free use of this hymn for congregations
Email: [e-mail] New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com

The July 14 lectionary gospel reading is the Good Samaritan parable, Luke 10:25-37, Jesus' command to love our neighbors (everyone). (She) finished this new hymn today and give permission for its free use.

[trotsky]

1. Matthew 15:21-28

21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.

22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Jesus rudely refused to help the woman simply because she wasn't a Jew. Only after she literally allowed herself to be compared to a dog scavenging for crumbs did he finally decide to grant her request.

Can we stop pretending like the Christian bible is a great moral guide, and/or that Jesus is a stellar example of how people should behave? He had good AND bad moments, just like everyone. Problem is, when he's held up as a model, then people can pick the bad stuff to emulate too, and be as perfectly justified in their actions as you are.

[Act_of_Reparation]

2. O God, you gave us Trump...

If he's real (probably not, but if he is), he's not our friend.