“Imagining Our Way to the Beloved Community”

“Sorry, there is nothing Christ-like in stealing and taking over the homeland of others. There is nothing Christ-like in masking it as Manifest Destiny. There is nothing Christ-like in enslaving millions of people, using that slave labor to build the foundations of wealth, then devising systems that block the path to prosperity for people who are not white. There is nothing Christ-like in damaging the planet or lives of people across the world so that we can live more comfortably or have a greater variety of food choices. There is nothing Christ-like in believing that we are better than anyone who is different.

Given the fact that we’re living in two parallel worlds, how do we incorporate “kin-dom” living (that is the Beloved Community) into worldly living? Can our collective imaginations help bring about such a world? Can we imagine asking God how individually we are being called to offer a prophetic voice or action? Can we imagine making life choices that can be seen as prophetic? I’m the first to admit this is scary stuff – but not impossible. It will take imagination.”

Meditation by Ceil Sheahan, preacher

Sunday, September 28, 2025