“Predicadores de Justicia” is an off-shoot
of a program originated in Chicago by Ms. Kim Bobo founder of the Interfaith
Community for Worker Justice. The
program is called – Labor in the Pulpits and is successfully used throughout
the country as part of the U.S. Labor Day celebration. Workers present homilies on labor justice on
the week before Labor Day. The purpose was to give workers a voice for justice in
the churches. Milwaukee participated in
the program for many years.
The New
Sanctuary Movement of Voces de la Frontera, has been using the
program, calling it Predicadores de Justicia
for International Labor Day, May 1st.
Voces
members preach homilies to explain the meaning of International Labor Day and
relate it to the current struggle for justice.
Preachers connect the scripture readings of the day to the Labor Day message
as a guide and inspiration for their preaching of justice. A sample homily
follows.
Readings: Second Sunday of Easter – April 28,
2019
1. Acts 5:27-32, Focus: “We must obey
God rather than any human authority.” (Psalm
118, Focus: “With Yahweh on my side, best help of all, I can triumph over my
enemies.” 14-24 or Psalm 150, Focus: “Let everything that breathes praise Yahweh ),
2. Revelation 1:4-8, Focus: “Christ …
ruler of the kings of the earth.”
3.
John
20: 19-31, Focus: Jesus said to Thomas, “peace be with you.” “These are written
so that you will come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and
that through believing you may have life in his name.”
Sample Homily – ideas from the
readings are underlined
Good Morning I’m …… Thank you for allowing me to speak to you
today about the May 1st March.
This year we will gather at (time & place) and parade to … We will
be advocating for drivers licenses for immigrants and low income people.
Today’s readings inspire our work for justice and peace.
The Evangelium or ‘good news’ of the Emperor gods of Rome was
Peace through military might. But Jesus
message was Peace through non violent
action. In John’s Gospel, Jesus greets Thomas with what has become a usual
Christian salutation even used in the liturgy, peace be with you. Jesus appeared not as a ghost or figment
of the imagination but as the living Jesus who had suffered and been executed
by the Roman Empire.
Peter and the Apostles did not accept the authority of Rome
as the word of God even when insisted by religious authorities under Roman
control. The reading from Revelation
states that Jesus is ‘the ruler of the
kings of the earth.’
I know from experience in the country where I was born
violence causes only death and destruction.
In believing in Jesus Good News
of non violent action we have life in
his name, as written in the Gospel of John.
This is why I ask you to support justice as the road to
peace. On May 1st we will
again march for Justice. This year we
will advocate for driver licenses for immigrants and low wage people. Driver
licenses are essential for getting to a job, caring for kids and the safety of
the community.
Be there as a followers of Jesus’ message in the struggle for
Justice and peace.
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