Using my voice

I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for the least of these, you did not do for me. Matthew 25:45

Those are the words of Jesus.

The least of these refers to marginalized people, particularly the hungry, sick, those struggling to make ends meet, and those trying to make a better life for their families.

I’ve been wrestling with this column for weeks. Since I wrote the “Enough!” column, I’ve felt the urge to say more. I was surprised by the feedback I received. I had no idea so many others shared my feelings. They joined me in the aisle, trying to quiet the noise on both sides. They had had enough of the constant bickering. They also had had enough of seeing so little concern for those in need.

Wealth and power have their privileges. Poverty has none.

Louder does not make consensus any more than might makes right.

As a writer, I’ve been given a voice. My prayer has always been, “Lord, let me use the talent you gave me, for the good of others.”

I sometimes write light-hearted columns because I need a timeout from writing the heavy ones … like this one.

I have a voice that I have the honor and privilege to use; others do not. Many are afraid of the consequences of speaking up and going against the powers-that-be.

I don’t carry my worries into everything I do throughout the day. I don’t have to worry about putting food on our table. I don’t have to worry about not getting my paycheck. I don’t have to worry about my healthcare. I don’t have to worry about looking or speaking “different” so that I could be taken away from my family without due process or probable cause. Don’t tell me this doesn’t happen.

I can’t begin to imagine what it feels like to live in fear every single day.

Courage is not just about facing the lion but also about facing the wolf in sheep’s clothing. Once you discover the sheep is not a sheep … what do you do? There lies the courage dilemma.

Here I am, standing in the aisle, watching the powers-that-be who are getting paid even when they are not working, withholding paychecks from those who work every day. These same suit-wearers and justice-bearers are dining at banquet tables, while little children are sitting at their desks, wondering if there will be any food at their supper tables.

Ignoring the needs of the least of these among us is wrong. “Not my family. Not my problem.” What a sad state of affairs.

While I am usually in the aisle (without a pulpit) quoting scripture, I have lately been drawn to quotes from some wise historical figures. Their words directly relate to scripture.

Evil triumphs when morally upright individuals choose not to act or speak out against injustices. That comes from an Edmund Burke quote: The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

Burke also said, The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse. THAT is something that shakes me to my core.

You should look up what he said about those who remain neutral in times of moral crisis.

If you have no idea who Edmund Burke is, Google him. He’s a fascinating 18th-century Anglo-Irish politician. He was a highly influential conservative thinker.

And it’s back to my Bible, where I read in Luke 10 the story of “The Good Samaritan,” in which inaction by religious figures allowed a man to suffer … they walked right past him. What does that say about their hearts?

I can’t change the minds of those who read my columns, but maybe I can give them something to think about.

I take having a voice with my writing seriously. I feel an obligation to those who do not have a voice or feel safe voicing their thoughts. I do not think I am alone in the aisle with my thoughts, but if I am … so be it.

I may be criticized and unfriended by those who read this column, but at the end of my writing days, I want to hear Jesus say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. You used your voice for the least of these. Welcome Home.”

Janet Hart Leonard can be contacted at janethartleonard@gmail.com or followed on Facebook or Instagram (@janethartleonard). Visit janethartleonard.com.