Am I paying attention to the holy ground beneath my feet?
Where do I see burning bushes?
Many of us want to understand how to integrate our spiritual lives with our engagement in working for justice and liberation. Hard and Holy Work provides a space for just that, helping readers participate in Lent in a new way by becoming attuned to God’s boundless presence in our world and waking up to, and taking action for, God’s justice through exploring stories from the book of Exodus that have inspired the work of liberation for centuries.
The authors, one a pastor, the other a Hebrew Bible scholar, reflect on the brave action of the midwives Shiphrah and Puah and other faithful women in Exodus, Moses’ awakening to the plight of the Hebrew people, Moses’ life-changing encounter with the burning bush, the Israelites taking the risk of crossing the Red Sea, and more to help readers to see anew and contemplate how God is calling them to respond to what is not right in the world: racial injustice, especially borne by women of color, houselessness, and discrimination against LGBTQ+ communities and people with disabilities.
Hard and Holy Work takes readers through a unique Lenten journey, encouraging us to see those who are marginalized or suffering as God sees them; contemplate how privilege, fear, risk, and feelings of uncertainty can cloud our attention; and practice endurance for the messy middle of justice work, leaning on God’s provision and rest when the way forward is unclear.
Questions at the end of each chapter offer opportunities to discuss, reflect, and respond to God’s call through daily reflections for individuals, prompts for small group discussion, and ideas for taking action in the outward work of justice and liberation.
At Vine Street, a group will meet weekly on Wednesday mornings at 9 am in Thomas Kleinert’s study, beginning on February 14, Ash Wednesday, to reflect on our readings and share our responses.
Thomas has purchased ten copies of the book, so participants can simply pick up one before the first session.
This lovely study and devotional is written with a wise and compassionate voice, bringing timely reflections on timeless Scriptures and nudging us to consider the significance of movements, moments, and our own spiritual yearnings. It is an invitation to pay attention, as the authors say, to ‘the divine possibility of the present moment.’ In a season in which our hearts are broken anew each day, may this book give us what we need as people of faith to mend and heal and move.”
—Laura M. Cheifetz