Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and to all the people, ‘This man deserves the sentence of death because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.’
Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people, saying, ‘It is the Lord who sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard.’”
NL Daily Devotion for Monday, June 30, 2025
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Truth telling is scary. It can be downright dangerous. Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke the truth and was murdered. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke the truth and was murdered. There are more. So many more. We’d like to think we’re more civilized than this, but we’re not. In some ways, it seems we’re becoming less so by the day. To publicly stand up against our current government’s actions feels risky, especially as they are randomly detaining and deporting people without due process, including U.S. citizens (children!).
But we don’t have to do it alone. We can speak up as part of communities. We can take action en masse. We can take comfort and strength from those who stand shoulder to shoulder with us against unjust systems. Is there a guarantee we will not be harmed in any way if we speak truth to power in solidarity with others? There are no guarantees in life, including any sort of guarantee that not speaking out will make us safe.
All we can do is trust that God is with us come what may, and be willing to heed God’s call in any way we can.
What opportunities do I have to speak up against injustice? Do I take those opportunities? Why or why not?
