“Lord Have Mercy” by Alan Anderson

 

“Love sinners, but hate their deeds, and do not disdain sinners for their failings, so that you yourself do not fall into the temptation in which they abide… Do not be angry at anyone and do not hate anyone, neither for their faith, nor for their shameful deeds… Do not foster hatred for the sinner, for we are all guilty… Hate his sins, and pray for him, so that you may be made like unto Christ, who had no dislike for sinners, but prayed for them.”

(St. Isaac the Syrian, Homily 57,90)

 

If there is ever a month of our blog posts to weep over this is the one. This theme of social justice causes me to pull within myself. I find myself overwhelmed by the fragility of people as I read our posts this month.

For decades now, my heart has grieved for the unborn. Canada’s form of barbarism is most noticeable in our country’s absence of laws on abortion. Even our politicians seem to avoid discussion in terms of the inhumanity of abortion. I am thankful I gave up trust in politicians years ago. I also grieve for Canada in the decision the Canadian government took by inflicting Medical Assistance in Dying on the country. Lord have mercy. 

Rather than go off on a tangent about Canada’s barbarism, I have decided on a different direction for this post. This month’s blog theme fills me with love for our InScribe family of writers. You all care for our world in word and deed. We walk through this theme of social justice together with hearts bonded by love.

Not too long ago, I posted a brief message on Facebook to counteract the negativity expressed on social media. Here is what I wrote. “Shh! Can you hear it? Listen. Yes, listen. Shh be still. No, don't move. Listen. Calm your heart. Sit alone. Listen. Listen. Ahh, yes, the still small voice of God amidst the confused clamor of the world.” Simple, right? This Facebook post expressed my need to slow down and listen.

The blog posts this month remind me of the tenderness God has placed on the hearts of His people. My friends, your messages are an encouragement for us to slow down and listen to your beautiful hearts. You help in this child of God being determined to love people. To love others is more of God than judging them. In my lifelong sadness over abortion and euthanasia, I cling to love and not judging people. 

Sin has damaged humanity. None of us is without sin. In Eastern Orthodox Christianity we have a saying used in a simple prayer. We ask for God’s compassion on us, “Lord have mercy.” Lord, have compassion, have mercy on those who cause injustices. Lord have mercy on victims of injustices. Lord have mercy on those of us involved in ministries of compassion. Lord have mercy on us all. 

Dear InScribe family of writers and readers, listen. Despite the confused clamor of the world, God still speaks.  Take a few minutes when you finish reading here to listen to God. 

Dear friends, writers, and readers, what have you taken away from our posts this month?

Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. 

 

 

https://scarredjoy.ca/

CANADA: A RETREAT FROM LIFE by Bryan Norford

The tide of Christian beliefs and values has been receding from Canada’s shores from sea to shining sea for several decades. As God is the author and only source of life, a drift away from Him inevitably leads away from a love of life to a culture of death.

Abortion is the first and obvious indicator of society embracing this focus. It won’t stop there. Aborted babies delivered alive are regularly disposed of, and post birth abortion—a half-sanitized name for infanticide—is already under discussion.

Of course, euthanasia and assisted suicide gleefully follow their mentor’s footsteps further devaluing life. Life in Canada is no longer sacred; it only has value if it is wanted or promises a nebulous quality of life.

Now even sexual curriculum being proposed for schools will promote anal and oral sex, masturbation, homosexuality, bisexuality, and preferred gender change and experimentation, all as equal sexual choice alternatives.

The common thread? All alternatives to heterosexuality are barren, reinforcing the culture of death. For abortion and alternate sexual preferences are inextricably linked; both are driven by the desire to separate sexual recreation from procreation, a denial of life.

Respect for life issues from a respect for God who is its only source. It is not surprising that major movers for life are Christians. Now, a strong and burgeoning pro-life movement is spearheading the advance opposing the current cultural rush to ration life, both in Canada and the States.

Loathing of life is a slap in the face of God, the giver of life. For the life He gives is not just a breathing existence. His amazing grace and costly redemption usher in a depth, meaning, and direction of life obtainable from no other source.