Tag Archives: Justice

Father Forgive Us

Advent

December 10, 2021

Scripture Reading:
Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

As I write, the second man in an Oklahoma prison to be executed in the last month is being fastened onto a gurney with legs bound and arms outstretched in a cross-like manner. Oklahoma stopped executions in 2015 because the drugs being used were deemed to cause unnecessary suffering. Our current Governor and Attorney General disagreed with that decision and reinstated executions using the same drugs. The first man executed experienced over two dozen convulsions and vomited twice before dying. The second man scheduled for execution had his sentence changed to life in prison without parole because there are serious questions regarding whether he committed the crime for which he was found guilty. The third man on the list is being killed today. There are 30 more people on death row, but a hearing has been set in February in federal court to determine whether the drugs being used cause unnecessary suffering. I do not believe that the death penalty is ever appropriate. The hearing in February will not end the death penalty; it will only change the method used to kill the people.

The Scripture quoted above is one of my favorites, and in theory, I attest to its validity, but today in real life, where the death penalty is real, I am finding it hard to rejoice in the Lord always. I then remember that much of Philippians was written by Paul while he was in prison when he, too, could have been executed. Later, he probably was beheaded for spreading the love of Jesus Christ. The man being executed today said he was at peace and will be the first person executed in Oklahoma to have his spiritual advisor in the room with him, praying for him while touching him in the process. He indeed has chosen to rejoice in the Lord always. So, I rejoice with his ability to rejoice while I pledge even more to advocate for the end of the death penalty and remember the words of Jesus from the cross, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do, Luke 23:34.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for our failure to love all your children. Guide us to restore the wholeness of all who have committed crimes.  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.

Preparing the Way

Advent

December 4, 2021

Scripture Reading: Luke 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
   make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
   and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
   and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

As an advocate activist, I am very aware of who the rulers are of my nation, state, county, city, and even the school board, although I have no children in school. I also can identify the leaders of my faith and church. In naming these leaders, Luke describes the part of the world into which Jesus was coming. What comes to your mind when you remember Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, or Hitler? By simply naming names, Luke paints a historic picture upon which he will sketch the life of Jesus.

As an advocate activist, John the Baptist called all who heard his voice to do justice and show mercy. He warned the people and the leaders to repent, change their ways from doing that which was neither righteous nor kind. He further alerted them that the One, Isaiah described, was coming soon to fulfill the prophet’s vision. John was very aware of how those leaders failed to respond to the call for justice and mercy. Instead, most were dedicated to maintaining their power and wealth. Thus, he provided a wake-up call while laying the groundwork for Jesus’s ministry.

We, too, must be aware of the world’s impact on all God’s people, and all people are God’s. We, too, must seek to do God’s justice and share God’s love as demonstrated in the life of Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, during this Advent season, help us examine ourselves and repent of anything separating us from you. 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.

Living Justly

Advent

December 3, 2021

Scripture Reading: Philippians 1:3-11

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that on the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

In the above scripture, the word translated as love from the Greek, agape, means properly, love which centers in moral preference*. What is moral is just. Does this type of love drive all our decisions to determine what is best what is right in the world for ourselves and others?

In the compiling of the English language, I do wish the word “love” would not have been designated to cover such a vast expanse of meaning. For example, 1 Timothy 6:10 is translated For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. The Greek word translated as “love” is philarguria, which means love of money, avarice, covetousness**. Indeed, this Greek word starts with “phil” which might refer back to what we call sibling love, but would, I believe, more correctly in today’s world means greed which overcomes people to the point that they care less for their siblings or anyone else then they care for money.

I ask again, is moral love, just love the driving force of all our decisions to determine what is best what is right in the world for ourselves and others?

Prayer: Lord, open our awareness to the injustice we do not see in our world today. Lead us toward loving for what you consider best. Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/greek/26.htm

**https://biblehub.com/greek/5365.htm

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.

Who Cares?

Advent

November 26, 2021

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

I am sick and tired of the news each morning reporting the same story—the report of who and where someone was shot, stabbed, or run down by a car and often killed during the night. As followers of Christ, we are called to be his conduit to increase and abound in love for one another and for all. How do we turn the violence around and focus that energy on building good, productive lives for all our citizens? Why is violence becoming the primary option in relationships? Why are so many people so hopeless that their lives become meaningless? Why do the rest of us say, who cares?

The Oklahoma City jail, now called a detention center, was recently condemned for use. The city is now planning to build a new facility. I pray we adjust our criminal justice system first. Many people in that facility are awaiting trial, sometimes for months, because they could not make bail. Often those same people lose their jobs, and just being in jail may stigmatize them from future employment. In addition, such detention could result in families being evicted even though the one being held has never been convicted of anything.  There must be a better way.

Prayer: Lord, help us find ways to do justice justly. 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.

Humility

Advent

November 24, 2021

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 25:1-10

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
   teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
   for you are the God of my salvation;
   for you I wait all day long.

Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
   for they have been from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
   according to your steadfast love remember me,
   for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!

Good and upright is the Lord;
   therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
   and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
   for those who keep his covenant and his decrees. –Psalm 25:4-10

Humble: having a low opinion of one’s own importance or merits; modest or meek in spirit, manner, or appearance: not proud or haughty*.

The proud or haughty cannot be taught anything. Their opinions or values are their truth, whether it aligns with reality or not. Often their truths seep into our culture and are accepted as norms. God’s ways are not the ways of the proud or haughty. As I observed people, I discerned that one of the worst messages parents or others relay to children is that they are better than anybody else. Most children, deep in their hearts, know that is not true. They may be good at some things, but they see others whose skills are better than theirs in other areas. The results are far-reaching. Some who have been given that message become bullies, some develop inferior complexes, and some kill people in what they perceive as self-defense, not because their lives are in danger, but their self-image is threatened. Such minors should not be imprisoned, but they need help rather than being given licenses to kill or enable copycats.

People are created in the image of God, determined not by looks but by how they love. Therefore, we cannot follow the paths of the Lord’s steadfast love and faithfulness until we take off the garments of privilege.

Prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10). Amen.

*https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/humble

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.

Righteous and Righteousness

Advent

Scripture Reading:
Jeremiah 33:14-16

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

The Hebrew word tsedaqah* is the root word translated righteous in the first instance in the above scripture and means honesty, justice, and merits related to government.  In the second usage, the last word in the scripture means righteousness as vindicated, justification in controversy with enemies and troubles, deliverance, victory, prosperity as it relates to the Messianic king**.

There is a bit of the separation of temple and state in these usages. The lines of governance are somewhat murky in the history of Israel. Cultural norms, civil law, and God’s laws are comingled a little more readily in the Hebrew experience than in our world today. In the USA, persons of all faiths may vote their conscience, and thus civil laws may be impacted by religion. Although I fear our national god of wealth has more influence at the ballot box than the God of love, some choose to follow. Politicians do actively work to confound the issues for their gain. The Hyde amendment, when applied, does not allow federal money to be used to pay for abortions based solely on making an exception for those who identify abortion as a sin. I have wondered why there is not a Hyde Amendment outlawing the use of tax dollars to pay for executions. I know tons of people of faith who do not believe in the death penalty, including me. Also, I would much rather have my tax dollars pay to end the need for war, not pay for unjust wars.

The difficult question is how do we come to oneness on understanding the Lord’s righteousness related to dealing with enemies and troubles, deliverance from persecution, a victory of that which holds us back from serving God fully, and mainly what is prosperity as it relates to the Messianic king? Jeremiah longed for the Messiah, we call Christ, to show us the right way, the just way to live together in shalom. Therefore, Advent is an excellent time to reacquaint ourselves with the one named Jesus, who we know now as Jesus the Christ.

Prayer: Lord, bless us with a greater understanding of the one Jeremiah longed for as we once again wait for the arrival of the Christ child. Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/hebrew/6666.htm

**https://biblehub.com/hebrew/6664.htm

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.

Higher Ground

Living in the Spirit

November 21, 2021

Scripture Reading:

John 18:33-37

Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?’ Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?’ Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’ Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’

Our challenge from Jesus following his death and resurrection was to actualize a kingdom ruled by love for all people. We are called to a partnership with the Holy to plant our efforts, our feet on higher ground, see the bigger picture of justice and mercy, and work to make it real for all people.

The hymn Higher Ground expresses this well:

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground*.”

The hymn is most liked based on Psalm 40:1-3

I waited patiently for the Lord;
   he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the desolate pit,
   out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
   making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
   a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
   and put their trust in the Lord.

Prayer: “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” Amen.

*First verse of hymn Higher Ground written by Johnson Oatman Jr. see at https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/396

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.

Called to Do Justice

Living in the Spirit

November 20, 2021

Scripture Reading:

John 18:33-37

Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?’ Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?’ Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’ Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’

Politics and faith are strange bedfellows. Pilate’s only concern regarded any threat Jesus might have on Pilate’s power. If the Jews stayed in their place, contributed to the Roman economy, and did not make waves, Pilate did not care what they believed. The Jews were able to enforce their religious laws up to the point of execution. Rome reserved the right to render final punishment. Thus, the Sanhedrin brought Jesus before Pilate, who weighed his options based on what was in it for him. So goes governance today.

Our society seems to have moved closer to “what is in it for me or mine” values rather than what is just. Libraries of books have been written discussing varying ideas about why Jesus was crucified. I, however, have not seen many delving into how his crucifixion focuses a bright light on justice or the lack of justice being one of the major impediments to the wellbeing of all. I am a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) who strives to be a wholeness movement in a fragmented world*.  We are better at it at some times than other times, but the calling stands. I think this idea recognizes that being followers of Christ means taking responsibility for how our world functions. I fear we long for a god with a magic wand who will solve all our problems and the world’s problems by a simple wave of that wand. From the beginning of time, God gave us the choice of wholeness or fragmentation, righteousness or self-righteousness with the expectation that our doing justice leads to wholeness.

The Disciples, in shock, no doubt, stumbled around for several weeks after the resurrection until, as Acts 1 describes, they realized the needed to get their act together. Thus, they held a board meeting, elected a replacement for Judas, and said, “OK God, what do we do next.” Immediately, Acts 2 described the arrival of the Holy Spirit. I envision Jesus saying, “It is about time. Let’s go.” With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, those twelve people, along with many converts, change the world. We are called to follow their example.

Prayer: Lord, enable us to do justice as your followers. Amen.

*https://disciples.org/our-identity/our-mission-vision-and-confession/

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.

Jesus as Judge

Living in the Spirit

November 19, 2021

Scripture Reading: Revelation 1:4b-8
John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Look! He is coming with the clouds;
   every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
   and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.
So it is to be. Amen.

‘I am the Alpha and the Omega’, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

As I write this, I do not know whether Julius Darius Jones is alive or dead. He is scheduled to be executed at 4:00 pm this afternoon. There is much doubt regarding his guilt for the crime for which he was convicted. I wondered why a carjacking gone wrong resulted in a charge of first-degree murder anyway. However, District Attorney Robert Macy was well known for death penalty prosecutions. The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recommended clemency, but the Oklahoma Governor has the final say. He has been silent to this point. Julius Jones is black; the victim is white. I wondered what the results had been if the race of those involved had been unknown or if a white man had been accused of the same crime.

I understand that all involved will face final judgment by the one who freed us from our sins by his blood, one who was not guilty but was executed anyway.

Prayer: Lord, no matter what the results of this horrible reality are, let it be the stimulus to end the use of the death penalty in Oklahoma in recognition that final judgment does not lay in human hands. 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.

God vs Chaos

Living in the Spirit

November 18, 2021

Scripture Reading: Psalm 93

The Lord is king, he is robed in majesty;
   the Lord is robed, he is girded with strength.
He has established the world; it shall never be moved;
   your throne is established from of old;
   you are from everlasting.

The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
   the floods have lifted up their voice;
   the floods lift up their roaring.
More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters,
   more majestic than the waves of the sea,
   majestic on high is the Lord!

Your decrees are very sure;
   holiness befits your house,
   O Lord, forevermore.

Making order out of chaos was God’s first task in creation. Order out of chaos is what we need today. We have had floods on the east coast, hurricanes in the south, tornados in mid-America, and fires on the west coast causing chaos. COVID has also taken its toll across the world. At the root of much of our chaos are greed and self-righteousness. Climate change is connected to our unusual weather, which is predicted to get even worse if we do not take prudent steps to prevent it. Trimming our carbon footprint threatens major sources of wealth. We couple that with the attitude that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness exist without responsibility and forget our Pledge of Allegiance includes assuring justice for all.

Creation in the ancient Near East was often viewed as a battle between God and the forces of chaos– the sea or the waters of the deep. In this battle, God has proven victorious; so chaos is ordered, and the world is “established” as solid and immovable*.

The Psalm above tells us that chaos challenges us always, but we can take comfort in knowing that God is the victor over chaos. God, I am sure would appreciate some help and cooperation from us.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we are participants in the chaos of our world rather than practitioners of your order.  Amen.

*The New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume IV page 1054

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.