March 12, 2023
Repairer of the Breach
“… you shall be called the repairer
of the breach,
the restorer of streets to live in.”
Isaiah 58:12
To the people on the edge of exile, the prophet Isaiah makes a startling promise: You shall be the ones to repair your world. Of course, the energy of God will be a solid partner. Despite God-energized human efforts, sadly, conditions of exile still exist — joblessness, food scarcity, hopelessness and oppressive racial tension, to name a few.
Through funded efforts, the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People partners with local community groups that have created and plan to implement activities that enhance their economic well-being as well as their community strength. By these partnerships, community gardens grace the fields of Detroit, job opportunities emerge amid storm ravaged communities in the South, homeless people discover the entrepreneurial spirit in Clearwater, Florida, and creative and imaginary women in Baltimore share innovative and creative skills to earn living wages. A reparation of the breach, indeed.
Through generous gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing, Presbyterians are invited to partner with organizations that Self Development of People supports and realize the promise of Isaiah to God’s people. The offering allows generosity to be the tool enlisted to repair the breaches that adversely affect fellow children of God across our land, and beyond.
Rev. Dr. Joseph Johnson, Past Chair, Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People, Pastor, Evergreen Presbyterian Church, Dothan, Alabama
Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, March 12, 2023, the Third Sunday in Lent (Year A)
Today’s Focus: Self-Development of People Sunday
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Bryan Taylor, Administrative II, Operations, Presbyterian Foundation
Nancy Taylor, Executive Director, Presbyterian Historical Society
Let us pray
Our Lord, Our God, continue to call and equip us to repair the brokenness in your beloved world. Amen.
You may freely reuse and distribute this article in its entirety for non-commercial purposes in any medium. Please include author attribution, photography credits, and a link to the original article. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDeratives 4.0 International License.