This day has been one of a variety of reflections. I happen to have the Bible app on my phone and the verse of the day came from Isaiah 40:26. You can see the entire verse on my Facebook page. What struck about this verse was this "Who marches this army of stars out each night, counts them off, calls each by name--so magnificent! So Powerful--and never overlooks a single one." MSG. What if we would read this as allegory that the prophet is speaking about all of us as the stars that are created by God and that God calls us be our name never overlooking a single creature and that God's desire is for us to e magnificent. How would we react to this blessing of God's grace in our lives to be known by God called by name and we are never overlooked, forgotten, or mistakes. God has created us to glorify creation in the way we march out into the world.
As I was reflecting on this and reading about the U.S. Supreme Courts recent rulings, I have been confronted by my readings of scripture. They turned down a part of the voting rights act that was so instrumental in providing civil rights especially to African Americans but has even far more reaching effects for Hispanics and other minorities. The justification for one judge was that the nation has changed and we no longer needed to enforce section 4 of the civil rights law. What is amazing is that within two hours of that decision Texas is already going to be doing things to redistrict their stated and some voter changes that may effect the ability of some people to be able to vote.
Today the Supreme Court ruled on DOMA and struck down two aspects. One dealt with the denial of federal benefits to legal same-sex marriages and to overturn Proposition 8 in California. The last was because the people who brought forth the challenge of the lower courts had no standing.
I find it interesting that the court could deny rights to one group and in essence grant rights to another. Regardless of one's stand on same-sex marriages, if we believe we live in the land of the free, we cannot in good conscious deny rights to legal sanctioned relationships. At the same time, we need to protect the rights of those who voice is often not heard or carries no power. I believe that God calls each of us by name and that God does not overlook anyone, we too need to honor the rights of others even if one disagrees with others.
I would hope that another case come before the court to review the importance of civil rights for all. I applaud what the court has done regarding marriage. They have left it to each state to decide what constitutes legal marriages. I look forward to what will be the future as we struggle to live faithfully with the love and grace and mercy of God to all people.
