There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest. Elie Wiesel
Meditation: As a Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel reminds us never to forget what happened to his people. When growing up the message I received from the generation before me (who had been born shortly before or during WW II) was “never again”. My generation was raised to watch many documentaries about the Holocaust so we would be witnesses as well and would speak up against injustices like racism, religious persecution or ethnic cleansing in any form. The Neo-Nazis who have emerged in the US and in Germany are louder and stronger than in the past 70 years. Their unrestraint violence is a worrisome sign that we have not learned from the past. Having an US government that promotes the defamation of certain ethnic groups gives permission for right wing extremism. Declaring all undocumented immigrants as enemies allows the arbitrary treatment and oppression of anybody who is not a US citizen, just like everybody who was not of Arian race was declared an enemy for the Nazis. We often feel powerless to prevent the injustice that is happening. But let us not stop protesting! We are after all the generation(s) who are called to uphold the “never again”!
Prayer: God, our protest seems so small, so insignificant. However, injustice done to some of us is injustice done to all of us. We cannot remain silent! Help us use social media to unite those of us who oppose what is happening. An individual CAN make a difference. You Spirit works in millions of people. And It whispers: “Never again”. Let us speak loudly and let us protest every day: “Never again!” God, fill us with courage! Amen
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1. Corinthians 15: 16 (NIV)
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