Tag Archives: Cynicism

Justice is a Systemic Issue

Living in the Spirit
August 6, 2017

Scripture Reading: Matthew 14:13-21

They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. –Matthew 14:17-21

J.B. Phillips wrote a book many years ago where the title said it all; Your God is too Small. Now, do not get me wrong, the book itself is a worthy read and explores well its subject; I can readily commend it to you. Think about that title for a moment. It is not talking as much about the size of God as it is describing our trust in God. We live in a world where more and more we do not trust anything. How does one discern fake news from real news? In Oklahoma this year we lost at least two legislators to malfeasance. Both proud of their piety. Are we projecting the cynicism such situations have caused onto God?

God is a God of hope. The prophets never gave up but chastised the leaders and the people for giving in and giving up telling them to turn around and change their ways of being the people of God.

I believe we do justice right when we see firsthand the results of doing it wrong. So a first step we might take is to follow Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 25:35-40.

for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.”Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

 When we try to fix individual problems of poverty, sickness, prison, and meeting the need of strangers, we begin to see the world through Jesus’ eyes and understand the problems are systemic issues of justice for people who have little or no voice. Standing with them and speaking on their behalf is doing justice too.

Prayer: Christ, open our hearts to see you in the least of these. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.