Excerpt from Ezekiel 34:17-23

“As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord God: I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats: Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, but you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture? When you drink of clear water, must you foul the rest with your feet?”

Reflection by Felix Carrion

The true measure of leadership is how it treats the most vulnerable. This is true in all spheres of life: the religious, political, social and economic.

I was profoundly moved by Michael Moore’s movie, Sicko. It shed light on the many truly and gravely sick persons in our society who are without the means and recourse to secure the health care they deserve. I use the word “deserve” because I do believe that health care is a universal right. I also believe this about a quality education for all children. We surely have the capacity in this country to provide “world-class” health care and education for all people. Other countries with a lot less than we possess have accomplished this. If we don’t achieve this, it is because we lack the vision and will.

What is so striking about the Hebrew Scriptures is the presence of a moral code where the most wounded and mistreated are on a high plane with God. The call to care for “the weak, injured, strayed, scattered, and lost” issues forth unmistakably from this moral code.

“And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have fouled with your feet…I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged.”

In these days of policy battles, the UCC will be ready to judge between those that ravage the most vulnerable and those that emulate the moral code and prophetic witness of our faith inheritance. Why do we do this? Because we believe in “changing lives . . . of individuals, communities and the world”! In the days that lie ahead our “vision, values and voice” will be needed.

Prayer

O God, provide for us the critical eye to discern the difference between policies that exploit the downtrodden and those that protect them. And grant us the courage to defend and advocate for these our brothers and sisters. Amen.

About the Author Felix Carrion is Coordinator of The Stillspeaking Ministry, United Church of Christ.

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