May her memory be for blessing

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.  If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:8-11 

So whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks, or the church of God, even as I try to please everyone in every way.  For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:31 

We all get the chance, every day, to consider what our life will be about.  The Westminster Catechism tells Christians that our chief end is to “glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” In other words, the glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. 

Some information shared after the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg shares some perspective on what the Jewish saying of "May her memory be for blessing," means. I think there’s a message for all of us as we ponder the season of our lives.  Since Jewish tradition does not focus on the afterlife, the goal of righteousness is not with the idea of an eternal reward. Being a good human to others, promoting justice and peace are their own rewards. The pursuit of justice is one of the highest callings of Judaism.  Justice is not the same as vengeance or punishment or charity.  While charity is good, eliminating the need for charity is better.  A high form of righteousness is where both the giver and the receiver are unknown to each other, allowing the recipient to have dignity and the giver to be free from personal motivation and reward. In other words, we should help create a more just world for the benefit of people we don't know, without the expectation of praise, gratitude, or reward, in this life or the next. Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s life was lived with constant effort to create a more just world that would perpetuate equality and access. So saying "may her memory be for blessing" the blessing implied is this: May you be like Ruth.  Jewish thought teaches that it is up to those who bear her memory to keep her goodness alive, carrying on her legacy of pursuing justice, righteousness, and sustainability. (credits to Molly Conway for these viewpoints) 

As Christians, we learn a lot from the Jewish tradition, and this is one of the beliefs that can inform the choices we make each day to glorify God. It certainly is in keeping with the teachings of Jesus.  In this season, we face so many opportunities every day to choose kindness or hate, generosity or self-focus, sensitivity or attack, peace or argument. We can have and share opinions without being disagreeable.  May her memory be for blessing. May our lives glorify God. 

Prayer:  Lord, I frequently lose sight of the fact that the main goal of my life is to glorify you and not myself, my family, my employer, or any other body.  Thank you for those leaders who illustrate, by example, my life verse from Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” May all I do glorify you.  Amen

Lori Snyder-Sloan