Friends,
I wrote these words just minutes after hearing that a jury in Minnesota found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of the murder of George Floyd. It was a decisive ruling. Chauvin was guilty on all counts and, like a lot of Americans, I was relieved.
I also found myself asking, “what next?” and my prayer is that this verdict will inspire more conversations that will lead to more actions that will, in turn, lead to the kinds of change that will make all people safer and will inspire a greater sense of confidence in the American judicial system.
Moving forward, as we prepare ourselves for this national conversation that will take place in our communities and on social media, in salons and barbershops, at work and around dinner tables, I hope we can bring the distinct voice of our faith to those interactions. As members and friends of Montclair Presbyterian Church we are part of a religious tradition that recognizes the image of God in every human, and that values the important work of trying to build just societies–in part–through the equitable application of well-written laws (Calvin, it should be noted, was a lawyer before he was a theologian).
I hope we will bear witness to this venerable history. But even if we cannot quote Bible verses that affirm the value of human life, and even if, like most Presbyterians, we don’t know much about our tradition’s history, we can still proclaim the love of the God who created us in his image. We can claim the Grace of Christ whose life and teachings lend dignity to human existence, and we can embrace the Spirit who longs to gather and to nurture every child of God under her wings.
These eternal truths are worth remembering and celebrating on any day, but they seem particularly important on this day.
As Presbyterians we are keepers of a tradition that is at its best when it speaks truths that improve the human condition. May God’s grace move in us and through us as we speak these good and needed words.
And may we all say prayers of thanksgiving for a legal ruling that seems to be moving us in the right direction.
God’s Peace,
Ben