By Rev Roberto Ochoa
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:9-12 – New Revised Standard Version Updated)
Dear Friends of the Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences of the United Church of Christ,
Last week the nation and the world witnessed the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old American citizen, wife and mother of three in Minneapolis, Minnesota by an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. Immediately, our country became polarized as the U.S. Administration accused Ms. Good as a “domestic terrorist” and blaming her for her death. Where is our humanity when the first response is justification and not horror or grief for a senselessly ended life? And two more were shot and wounded in Portland, Oregon by ICE agents.
This killing is very reminiscent of the 2020 murder of George Floyd also in Minneapolis. And this past weekend’s national response mirrors that event, people that normally don’t demonstrate are standing up and marching in peaceful protest. No longer can we remain silent and be complicit to the eroding of our human rights.
Jesus never went looking to confront the authorities of his day, they came looking for him because he dared speak up for justice for the oppressed, the poor, and the marginalized. Jesus brought a message of Divine Love and compassion for all which he never wavered when confronted by his detractors. Jesus was reviled for it, Jesus was insulted for it and later was accused falsely which led to his crucifixion. This is the One we follow as the Head of the United Church of Christ.
As your Conferences Minister, I am acutely aware of the tensions many in our local UCC congregations in Iowa Nebraska South Dakota hold when discussing anything that seems political, however when policies are being created that is causing harm, we have a moral obligation to speak up in our churches, in our pulpits, in our communities, and in our nation. I believe it is essential that we speak to each other even when we disagree in Christ’s love if we are to find peace. Hating someone for being Democrat or Republican or even Independent is not what our Christian faith is about. The United Church of Christ is called to be a united and uniting church rooted in the gospel of John 17:21 that we may all be one in Christ and God. The UCC motto is “In essentials–unity, in nonessentials–diversity, in all things–charity [Love],”
I pray that we can be peacemakers for Christ in a world that needs peace during the division and violence currently happening. I pray that we begin at home with our family members that we have become estranged due to the recent climate of discord we live in. Within our churches, I pray for understanding and willingness to cross lines and seek that which binds us together as sisters, brothers, and siblings for greater good; like feeding the hungry, supplying clothing to those in need, shelter for the homeless, protection to the vulnerable, assisting the sick and visiting the incarcerated as encouraged in Matthew 25. I truly believe that we have more in common than that which divides us.
Let us keep the good people of Minnesota, Oregon, and our UCC pastors and congregations in our prayers. Let us lift the whole Church and nation in our prayers in this time of turmoil for Divine guidance and compassion.
In the coming weeks and months, please know I keep y’all in my prayers my friends as I am committed to walking the path of Jesus during these difficult times with you. May the comfort and peace of the Holy Spirit sustain all of us as we lean into the trust of our God, the Divine Love we deeply hold to.
Bendiciones y Paz,
Rev Roberto