In 1945, America's greatest generation returned from war, bringing with them a sense of victory and hope as Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan were defeated. Among the returning soldiers were beloved baseball players like Musial, DiMaggio, and Williams, and life in the United States began to normalize. However, African American soldiers came home to find racism and segregation still entrenched in society, including in Major League Baseball. In 1946, all 400 players in the Major Leagues were white, but that changed in 1947 when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, becoming the first African American to play in the Major Leagues. His journey, supported by Brooklyn Dodgers executive Branch Rickey, was a testament to resilience and faith. Despite facing immense racism and hostility, Robinson's ability to turn the other cheek and his deep faith helped him endure and pave the way for future generations. His story, immortalized in the film "42," highlights the struggle for racial equality and the power of forgiveness and character in the face of injustice.

As we conclude today, I invite you to bow your head and pray. If you’ve been a victim of racism, sexism, or any form of discrimination, pray for the strength to forgive and turn the other cheek, as Jackie Robinson did through his faith in Jesus. Ask God for grace to respond with love and character. Additionally, some of us need to seek forgiveness for harboring prejudices and to strive to see others as God does. Pray for our church to grow into a true church without walls, embodying the transformative love of Jesus Christ. 

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