ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
June 26, 2026
Today marks the International Day to Support Victims of Torture. On one hand, I can’t help but wonder if we truly need a dedicated day for this cause. I genuinely believe that supporting victims of torture should be an inherent part of our society, and I would like to think that only a few individuals in the world genuinely support torture. However, a day like this serves as a reminder of the urgent need to raise awareness and bring this issue to the forefront of our collective consciousness. Torture still occurs on many different levels around the globe, and there are way too many victims whose stories are unknown.
Growing up, I watched Saturday morning cartoons, and I knew all the School House Rock videos. There was a sort of introductory one that had the lines:
As your body grows bigger,
Your mind must flower.
It’s great to learn,
‘Cause knowledge is power!
Knowledge is power, and knowing what has occurred and continues to occur sets the stage for the possibility of change. I’m not suggesting knowledge automatically brings change, such as an ending to torture. However, it can be pretty much guaranteed that nothing will change for the good if no one actually knows what occurs.
In James 1:5, we read:
“If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.”
Though I believe God provides wisdom, sometimes the wisdom is the capacity for us as individuals to explore, ask questions, and discover for ourselves. The things we know the best are the things we learned ourselves, and though sometimes what we learn is painful or deeply troubling, it is still important for us to know.
Help me to know what I should know, O God of the Universe. Though sometimes it is disturbing to learn what is happening in this world, Jesus never turned away from suffering or injustice. Provide me both knowledge and the capacity to utilize that knowledge for the good work that needs to be done in this world. Amen.
MORE INFORMATION
https://www.cvt.org/campaign/june-26/
