What does justice look like?
Dr. Timothy Keller said that “Biblical justice requires that every person be treated according to the same standards with the same respect, regardless of class, race, ethnicity, gender, or any other social category.”
Justice looks like treating everyone with fairness. It’s not about exacting vengeance. ““Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord “. (Romans 12:19) It’s not about judging others. “Judge not, that you be not judged.” (Matt. 7:1)
It is about loving our neighbour as ourselves. (Matt. 22:39).
What does peace look like?
The word “shalom” is found many times in the Hebrew text of the Old Testament. It is sometimes translated as “peace” or “welfare”. Nicholas P. Wolterstroff says in the book “Call for Justice” that he prefers the word “flourishing”. “Flourishing” can be described as healthy, propering, thriving, successful.
“Shalom consists of flourishing in all dimensions of our existence: in our relations to our fellow human beings, in our relations to the physical world, in our relations to God, in our relations to the artifacts and institutions created by human being and even in our relations to ourselves.” ~ (pg. 116 “Call for Justice” by Kurt Verbeek and Nicholas P. Wolterstroff.)
When I think of an organization that works towards flourishning, I think of the Association for a More Just Society (https://www.asj-us.org/). One of their initiatives is in the field of education. Recently , After the beginning of this school year,I got this update: I am so happy to report that 58 school days later, not a single day of class has been canceled and 2 million children have had a nutritious lunch every day. If this keeps up, these children will be in school for more than 200 days! And since the majority of children in public schools live below the poverty line, 200 days in school means 200 days of learning, 200 days of healthy lunch, and 200 days in a safe place protected from threats they may face in their neighborhoods or homes. What an opportunity for flourishing for the children of Honduras.
Justice and Peace
Without justice there can be no peace, and without peace there and be no justice. How can I make a difference?
Recently, I read this prayer by Pete Greig (Lectio 365, May 28, 2024).
God of justice and mercy, as I open my heart to You now, comfort me where I’m unsettled and unsettle me where I’m comfortable. Challenge me and change me, disturb and rearrange me, not for my own sake but for the sake of those who are hurting and helpless, ostracized and oppressed. Amen
I am challenged by this prayer.
What about me?
When I think of something that unsettles me, one thing I think of is bullying — verbal, physical, emotional or religious bullying. I want to be able to react in better ways when I, or someone else, experiences unfairness by another in this way..
I feel comfortable in a safe, familiar place, but I don’t want to be so comfortable that I resist moving from that place. It’s important that I look beyond myself to see the needs of others, the need for care and inclusion.
I need to see what I haven’t been seeing, to recognize where the things that I consider “normal” are “abnormal”. I need to recognize the places where I’m convinced my thinking is right, but it’s not.
I don’t want to be so busy looking ahead that I don’t look around me. It’s easy to miss the opportunities that God places around me every day. Rearrange my priorities. The little things matter if I want to show love to my neighbour.
Living in a right relationship with God, others and our communities requires the active pursuit of peace. ~ Emily Steen.
There are many ways we can work to bring shalom on earth: any occupation, any human interaction, any care for the planet, any prayer to our loving Father in heaven can add to the flourishing of others.
My personal efforts for peace and justice don’t feel like much sometimes. I help serve breakfast at a Meal Program once a week, being intentional about connecting with people when I can. I try to remember to smile at people when I pass them as I walk out and about. I try to offer words of encouragement when an opportunity arises. I volunteer at Recovery Church https://www.clachurch.com/recovery-church.
It’s awesome when God shows me or reminds me that somehow, I have made a bit of a difference in someone’s life. May I become more and more aware of opportunities to help people flourish. May my actions be more intentional.
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