My rose garden is beginning to bloom, and it looks like this will be a great year for the roses. A wet spring and recent warmth have boosted their growth and loaded the shrubs with buds, which are in the process of opening.
I continue to walk through my neighborhood, as we are still in a stay-local mode. Walking and photography have helped me to clear my head and connect me with the beauty of the world around me, which I find particularly important when we are experiencing so much social unrest in our country.
When Jesus is asked about the lawfulness of paying taxes to the Roman empire, he taught that we must respect our civic duties and social ties and that we must also honor God. The call to respect our neighbor and to bring our cares and concerns before the Lord are particularly important as we confront the evils of racism and social inequality in our society.
At Pentecost the Spirit of God moved the disciples to go forth to preach and live the Good News of Jesus Christ. May that same Spirit move us to examine our hearts and to work and pray for the justice and social equality that belong to all of God’s children.
“Be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory now and on to the day of eternity.” (2 Peter 3:17-18)
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