If There is One Thing I am Sure of, it's that God Can Always Surprise Us
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The stories of James Tramel and Jay Siripongs have made a big impression on me. Maybe it's because of that little bit of personal connection I have in both cases. I don't know quite why. What I do know is that these stories give me a sense of urgency about abolishing the death penalty in California.
Not every murderer, or accused murderer, has the potential to become an Episcopal priest or a Buddhist monk. But everyone has the capability of becoming a better person than they were before. Maybe those who have fallen the farthest can experience the most grace. This seems to me part of what Bishop Swing means when he talks about James witnessing to the resurrection.
This weekend is the National Weekend of Faith in Action on the Death Penalty. Every year since 1992, for one weekend in October, faith communities all over the US reflect, discuss and take action on the death penalty.
- Some congregations will discuss the fact that the death penalty in the United States is given disproportionately to the poor and people of color. In California just 6% of the population is black, but 35% of the inmates on death row are black.
- Some congregations will discuss the fact that the death penalty in the United States is given disproportionately to the poor and people of color. In California just 6% of the population is black, but 35% of the inmates on death row are black.
- Many congregations will discuss the growing evidence of so many innocent people on death row. Just three weeks ago, Earnest Ray Willis, a 59 year old Texan, became the 117th death row inmate to be exonerated and set free. If 117 people scheduled for execution have been proven innocent and set free, it is absolutely certain that we have executed innocent people as well.
Racial imbalance, lack of a proven deterrent effect, and innocent people on death row are all serious concerns, and there are other problems with the death penalty. I invite you to talk with any member of Holy Faith's Justice and Mercy Commission if you would like more specific facts and figures on the death penalty, or if you would like to Faith Communities in the movement for abolition or for a moratorium.
It's not facts and figures that I want to conclude with this morning, however, but a question. As a faith community, this seems to me to be the most important question to ask ourselves. Is the death penalty what God wants?
It seems to me that when we condemn someone to death, we are essentially saying that this person is not redeemable, that there is nothing more that God can do with this person's life. We trust in our own righteousness and put our judgement in place of God's judgement. But the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee tells us that God sees things differently than we do.
Let us pray.
God of mercy, open our hearts and minds to your guidance.
Keep us from the sin of self righteousness.
Give us the gift of compassion.
And help us in all thing to desire your will and not our own.
Amen