In the culture of the ancient Near East where Jesus was born, family, society, and religious communities functioned as hierarchies. In each system there were those who had rights and those who did not, those whose lives mattered and those whose lives were considered worthless or expendable. Slaves were property, people with leprosy were cast outside the gates, and women were not allowed to make decisions for themselves. Following Jesus meant preaching a radical freedom and living by the spirit of a new law; it meant embracing a God whose love transcended the boundaries created by human beings. It meant risking everything, even one’s life.
God, when we encounter the ways that our society gives value to some and takes away value from others based on categories of class, race, age, gender, or sexual orientation, please help us to remember that when we follow you, we are called to stand for those who are being diminished, even when it means that we may be asked to give up some of our privileged ways for the sake of others.
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