Remembering Jesus the Victim

Opening Prayer

Loving God, we thank you for creating us and loving us. We are wondrously made. Your love for us numbers each hair on our heads, and ensures us we will never be lost or defeated.

You know each of us by name, and we are yours.In your love, you sent your beloved son to be among us. For our sake and for our salvation he suffered, died and was buried.

Jesus, was the victim of bullying as he taught his message of love.

He was bullied by those who tried to use the Law to silence him.

He was arrested, beaten, and crucified in the name of power and control.

His friend Judas assisted the perpetrators and betrayed him.

His close friend Peter maintained his position as a bystander when he denied him three times.

His elders in faith assisted the Romans and turned him over to be crucified.

Help us to remember Jesus the victim,

Enable us to be his presence of hope and understanding to all.

Amen

Isaiah 43: 1-5

But now thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour...because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you...Do not fear, for I am with you....”

The word of the Lord................ Thanks be to God.

Choral Reflection

Reader 1: Many people are bullied because they are “different”, because they are mentally or physically challenged, or just because they do not agree with us. May we know the courage of those who suffer at the hands of Perpetrators.

I ask myself...

How often do I spend time with those who are physically and mentally challenged?How often do I disrespect those who are "different"?How often do I exclude those who disagree?

Reader 2: Evil triumphs when good people are silent. We call to mind those who suffer while Bystanders do nothing. May we know their strength.

I ask myself.

How many times have I been silent when I should have spoken up? When have I heard a racist, sexist, or homophobic comment and been silent?

Choral Reflection

Reader 3. Often people are bullied for something over which they have no control. They are called ugly names and harassed.

May we know their God-given dignity and pride.

I ask myself...

Whom do I condemn for reasons they cannot control?

Reader 4. Perpetrators take away the rights of their victims. May we come to understand what the Christian notion of freedom is.

I ask myself:

How much do I care when I see others protest for rights?

Choral Reflection

Reader 5: Perpetrators are sometimes successful because of assistance from others.

May we know the power of those who resist, and all who have died resisting.

I ask myself...

When have I done things I know I should not have?When have my actions betrayed my heart?When have I ever assisted another’s wrongdoing with my actions or lack of action?

Choral Reflection

Reader 6. People are persecuted because they are poor, homeless, or displaced. May we come to understand the divine dignity that exists in all people. I ask myself...

How aware am I of the homeless and wanderers in my city?

Who are the wanderers, those with no place, in our schools and workplaces?

Choral Reflection

Reader 7. Resistance challenges the perpetrator. May we have the faith required of those who resist evil in all its forms.

I ask myself...

When have I felt empowered to resist the clenched fist and the harsh word?

When have I resisted, purely because I believe?

Choral Reflection

Reader 8. When a perpetrator fails to have power, a victim becomes a survivor.

May we know their sense of gratitude and dignity.

I ask myself...

For what am I grateful in my life right now, right here?For whom am I grateful in my life right now, right here?

And Jesus Said

Words by Shirley Erena MurrayMusic by Tony Alonso

CD: Songs from Another RoomArt: Helge Boe

 

And Jesus said: don’t be afraid—

I’ve come to turn your fear into hope,

I’ve come to take you through the deep,

to be your friend …until the end

and give your troubled heart to sleep

And Jesus said: don’t be afraid—

I know your emptiness and grief,

I hear your words of unbelief,

but if you will, I’ll heal your soul

and give your doubting heart relief.

And Jesus said: don’t be afraid—

I am the Way, I am the Light,

I am the Truth that holds you tight,

and in God’s home, you have a room,

a place of welcome and delight.

And Jesus said…Don’t be afraid

And Jesus said……Don’t be afraid

Closing Prayer

Loving Jesus, as we work to eliminate bullying, may we find comfort in the words of Mahatma Gandhi:

When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fail… think of it...ALWAYS.

May we find encouragement in the example of love you showed everyone in the face of adversity.

Closing Prayer

May we always be a…

…sign of hope to those who despair…source of comfort to those afflicted…source of affliction for those

who are comfortable.

Enable us to be your hope to all.

Amen.

We Stand Together

We stand together as a sign of hope for the hopeless

We stand together in solidarity with the dispossessed

We stand together with ribbons of remembrance

We stand together as a blessing for each other

We stand together as living candles of care

We stand together as witnesses to the Gospel of Love

Amen