Ken Friesen spoke on the lectionary readings for the previous week, readings which touch on his profession as a lawyer. Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 asks Israel to be holy (to be just to everyone, to be impartial, to treat foreigners in their midst as neighbours). True justice requires an even hand at all times, judgments being debated and made without anger, "do not rebuke your neighbour or you will incur guilt yourself". Pope John Paul II was once criticized for publicly rebuking a Jesuit priest whose Liberation Theology he feared, even though some argued it is biblically based. Reproving is in fact a very tricky business because sometimes you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. For example, how can an organization like MCC address Israel's policies? In Matthew 22, we see that justice, mercy and faithfulness grow out of loving God and our neighbour. We are not to dehumanize others, nor find ways to pervert the law (as the U.S. did after 9-11 when seeking to make torture legal). In Canada, some lawyers are tempted to exchange barbs and play with the truth, while Christian lawyers hope to practice their profession and craft according to both their faith and the law. The best practitioners are concerned about the integrity of the process, not simply the desired outcome. [JEK]

Passage: Mt 22:34-46
Communion: No
Ecumenical or Event:
Potluck Lunch: No
Congregational Meeting: No

Speaker: Ken Friesen
Worship Leader: Andre Pekovich
Song Leader: Paul Thiessen
Pianist: Jeff Schulz
Usher: Peter Neudorf
Zoom Coordinator:
Children's Feature Leader:

Bring Flowers:
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Child Care Volunteer: