Seven Last Words: My God, My God, Why have you Abandoned Me?: A Good Friday Sermon at Bethel Lutheran Church, Chicago

About three in the afternoon

Jesus cried out in a loud voice,

“Eli,

Eli,

lema sabachthani?”

(which means “My God,

my God,

why have you forsaken me?”)

(pause)

A few years ago,

I participated in a public protest,

Encompassing the dire need

For bail reform,

For fair sentencing

For treating those,

Even breaking laws

As human beings.

(pause)

This was my first encounter,

With 22nd and California

This place where people go,

To be examined

Assaulted

And

Forgotten

Just your friendly neighborhood troublemaking Seminarian.