14 Seek good and not evil,
that you may live,
and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you,
just as you have said.
15 Hate evil and love good,
and establish justice in the gate...
Amos 5: 14-15a NRSVue
Last week the CBC radio program, Metro Morning, left the familiar confines of the downtown Toronto studio for Oshawa, a city of 185,000 toward the east of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). MM chose to broadcast outdoors on a frosty morning, at a nearly completed community housing complex.
The program interviews included residents of this project along with others who are involved in the heart of a city that has been prosperous through the years thanks to General Motors but has also had a reputation for a seedy downtown. This was true 50+ years ago when I lived in the area but the city core has fallen on even tougher times.
One of the other guests works for an organization reaching out to marginalized people called DUO, a nighttime drop-in centre. This is an acronym for Do Unto Others, a portion of the Golden Rule, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." While Jesus taught this, virtually every major religion has a similar phrase.
When the mayor of Oshawa was interviewed he mentioned the work of DUO, Gate 3:16, and the Backdoor Mission. Gate 3:16 was founded by a coalition of congregations to respond to the needs of the homeless. The Backdoor Mission began at Simcoe St. United Church and while the congregation has since disbanded what that mission has become a multi-faceted outreach to those who need a variety of services, including food, mental and physical healthcare, and housing. I've mentioned before that a friend who is a physician is now volunteering here, a challenging and worthwhile contribution. We should note how many organizations responding to these needs began with faith groups. Daily Bread in Toronto and Gleaners reflect this in their names as well.
This is Thanksgiving Weekend in Canada and Thanksgiving Sunday for many denominations, including the United Church. One of the lectionary readings for the day is the passage in Amos which contains the two verses above. It is a reminder that choosing the good, including justice for the poor and needy, is God's way.
Today we will worship on the theme of the Season of Gratitude at Trenton United.
Tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, Ruth, my wife, will join with many other faithful volunteers who seek good and not evil at Bridge St. UC, providing a meal to nearly a hundred people, as this ministry does every day. I know that she'll arrive home to tell me of the people who express their heartful thanks, as they do every week. In a time when hardness of heart and disdain for the poor seems to be on the rise we can uphold all these organizations in prayer.
God, giver of all good,
you continually pour your benefits upon us.
Age after age the living wait upon you and find
that your faithfulness has no end,
that your care is unfailing.
We praise you that the mystery of life
is a mystery of infinite goodness.
We praise you
for the order and constancy of nature;
for the beauty and bounty of the earth;
for day and night, summer and winter,
seedtime and harvest;
for the varied gifts of loveliness which every season brings.
We give you thanks
for all the comfort and joy of life,
for our homes, for our friends,
and for all the love, sympathy, and goodwill of all people.
Amen.
from Celebrate God's Presence: A Book of Services for The United Church of Canada (UCPH, 2000)
Back Door Mission. Oshawa
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