You are an inspiration to me

"You are an inspiration to me."

Those words were about the last thing I expected to hear when a group of us from First United Church met with Joseph, a legislative aid to U.S. Rep. Danny Davis in Washington, DC. We were there for Ecumenical Advocacy Days, and we had 30 minutes in the Congressman's office to talk about issues related to a fair federal budget and human rights issues in Latin America.

I began by saying we were there to preach the good news of Jesus Christ, who proclaimed liberation for those who are oppressed and poor. Secondly, we were there as constituents who VOTE and citizens of the republic. Thirdly, we were there as friends and companions to our partners in the Presbyterian Church of Colombia.

Joseph's eyes got kind of wide when I started talking about Jesus. Maybe people in Washington aren't used to that kind of talk . . . at least when it is connected to justice and love for people in other countries. And he really paid attention when Mahala and Laurand, two of our youth delegates, began to articulate the issues. Five million people in Colombia have been displaced. Their rights to restitution are difficult to claim. Labor leaders are subject to harassment and assassination. U.S. military and police presence contributes to violence.

We asked the Congressman to use his power to influence American involvement in Colombia, to support development aid rather than weapons. We asked for enforcement of labor protections prior to the implementation of the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. We asked for the U.S. to monitor treatment of those who have been displaced from their homes and lands.

And by the end of our visit, he turned to us and said, "You all are an inspiration to me!" Rep. Davis signed a Dear Colleague letter that we asked him to endorse.

Sometimes God's work happens in surprising ways. I was glad our presence made Joseph's day. May he -- and all public servants -- be inspired to continue working for liberty and justice for all.

Three Pairs of Black Pants and Holy Saturday

Today is Holy Saturday, the day when Christ lay in the tomb, before he rose on Easter Sunday. Jesus and his followers were Jewish, so this was their Sabbath. They were unable to do any work, so this was a day of silence and rest. On this day of Holy Week, nothing happened.

I went to do my laundry early this morning, and I realized I had three pairs of black pants in one load of wash. Black is our Holy Week uniform at First United. I wore all black for Maundy Thursday. I wore all black for the Good Friday Walk of Justice from noon to 3 pm in Chicago. And I wore all black for the Good Friday service last night at First United. It is a week of mourning, a week of pain, coming after six weeks of Lent.

I am ready to change my wardrobe. Enough fasting. Enough repentance. Enough tears. Enough sadness. I am ready. I know today Jesus lies in the tomb.

But tomorrow it will be Resurrection time. One more day to wait and watch.