Social Justice...Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Humanistic and/or atheistic groups can do works of social justice and can even move toward the margins with compassion. Government agencies can implement programs and systems to aid those on the margins.Their motivation will not be a transcendent reality but it is noble work. We applaud any work that alleviates suffering but let's be clear. Without a solid proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, any work in the areas of social justice and ministry in the margins is NOT fulfilling the call of the Church.

We hurt for the things Jesus hurts for and it is clear from Scripture that Jesus touched the untouchable, was present with the despised, and entered the hell of people's lives to bring resurrection. Our encounter with Jesus will move us with compassion to the broken people in our world. It will move us toward a righteousness that desires to seek justice. Yet, it is the outcome of the primary encounter of Jesus Christ, the salvation of our souls.

~ John Comstock

Justice Is More than Law

Justice is more than just the law. It's more than just the enforcement of the law. ...Justice infers a right relationship between human beings. There has to be mercy... love... caring for one another. ~ Sean Litton

Integral to Social Justice - Family

The family is an integral part of social justice because it's the starting point of social justice. ~ Rudy Carrasco

Justice in the Burbs

"Justice cries out from so many corners of our society. But unless events break into our lives - events like a man peddling for change on the corner or a picture on TV of a child living in poverty - and force us to ask questions, we often do not notice. Unless our lives are interrupted by an uncommon means, we tend to keep up business as usual. We need to be interrupted."

- Will Samson from Justice in the Burbs: Being the Hands of Jesus Wherever You Live

You Do Not Struggle Alone

The fact that this new age is emerging reveals something basic about the universe. It tells us something about the core and heartbeat of the cosmos. It reminds us that the universe is on the side of justice. It says to those who struggle for justice, "You do not struggle alone, but God struggles with you." ~ Martin Luther King Jr. (I Have a Dream: Writings and Speeches That Changed the World)

Sweet Justice...

Justice is so sweet when it puts others in their place, yet so frightening when it does the same with us.

~ Chris Tiegreen

Observations from the Beach

"I went to watch the sunrise on the beach a couple mornings ago. As I was walking, hundreds of blue crabs were scurrying between their holes and the waters edge. As soon as they saw me coming the would hurry back to the safety of their sandy chambers. They recognized danger as soon as they saw it coming. (Well, not really from me.) But, I was thinking, how is that a small ocean creature is better at running from danger than we are? Sometimes we know we are going down a dangerous path, but we stay the course any way. May the Lord give us discernment and keep us on a good course. Proverbs 2:7-9 "He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones. Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course." ~ Mary Jean Dawson

What Are You Searching For?

“Why do so many today want to wander off to South Africa or Kenya or India or Russia or Honduras or Costa Rica or Peru to help with justice issues but not spend the same effort in their own neighborhood or community or state? Why do young suburbanites, say in Chicago, want to go to Kentucky or Tennessee to help people but not want to spend that same time to go to the inner city in their own area to help with justice issues? I asked this question to a mature student in my office one day, and he thought he had a partial explanation: 'Because my generation is searching for experiences, and the more exotic and extreme the better. Going down the street to help at a food shelter is good and it is just and some of us are doing that, but it's not an experience. We want experiences.” ~ Scot McKnight

Advent Relection

An Advent Reflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fr. Brian Cavanaugh, TOR

"During Advent opportunities for works of charity abound calling out for Christians from every side: a sack of food for a needy family, money dropped in a Salvation Army kettle, a donation to an Indian school, a toy for ‘Toys-for-Tots,’ etc. Unfortunately, these works of charity so easily can assuage the Christian conscience, while doing nothing to being about a solution to the root causes of the problem.

"Works of justice, on the other hand, follow the road less traveled of Advent’s hope to pursue solutions for difficult problems. Hope comes through works of justice rather than simply performing works of charity."

Passion for Justice and Mercy

How do I live out a passion for justice and mercy in ways that actually make things better for people over time? ~ Jedd Medefind

Mercy & Justice,

"Mercy and justice, grace and discipline belong together." 
~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

True Preaching

"Whatever else the true preaching of the word would need to include, it at least would have to be a word that speaks from the perspective of those who have been crushed and marginalized in our society. It would need to be a word of solidarity, healing and love in situations of brokenness and despair and a disturbing and troubling word of justice to those who wish to protect their privilege by exclusion." ~ Letty M. Russell

Celtic Prayer

Lord of my heart,
give me wisdom to direct me, that thinking or acting,
I may always discern right from wrong.
give me courage to strengthen me, that amongst friends or enemies,
I may always proclaim your justice.
give me trust to console me, that hungry or well-fed,
I may always rely on your mercy.
save me from empty praise, that I may always boast of you.
save me from worldly wealth, that I may always look to the riches of heaven.
save me from military prowess, that I may always seek your protection.
save me from vain knowledge, that I may always study your word.
save me from unnatural pleasures,
that I may always find joy in your wonderful creation.
Heart of my own heart,
whatever may befall me,
rule over my thoughts and feelings,
my words and action.

~ Celtic Prayer

Post-Christmas Prayer

"Long after the angels disappear into the heavens, the shepherds return to their flocks, the magi journey home and the great star sets, Jesus remains.

The Child in whom we rediscover God’s great love for humanity becomes the adult Redeemer who challenges us to imitate his selflessness and compassion in order that we might transform our world in love…

May we allow the miracle of Christmas to continue long after the holiday trappings have been packed away;

May we welcome the adult Messiah and his challenging Gospel to recreate our lives, making the peace, justice and hope of this holy season a reality in every season of the new year."

~ Post-Christmas Prayer: CONNECTIONS, Jan.1, ‘95

Christmas Is...

Christmas is God’s gift to us – a gift of light and life, hope and grace. The gift is a reflection of God’s concern for the world, and God’s desire to heal it and drive away its darkness. The gift of Christmas therefore, comes with a mission, a calling and a responsibility. We must bear Christ’s light into the world by our love expressed through works of mercy and justice. At Christmas we are invited to receive Christ’s light, but not only to receive it. We are invited to bear the light, to walk in the light, and to take the light into the world. ~ Adam Hamilton

The Church Is...

The Church is not a court of law, equipped to dole out condemnation and administer punitive justice. The courthouse is suited for such things as these.

The Church is filled with former prisoners, dead in sin, that have become slaves chained to Jesus Christ.

The Church is a hospital where the dead come to life. The Church speaks with a moral conscious, grounded in the Person of Jesus Christ, uncompromisingly and unapologetically living as channels of free flowing love and grace.

~ John Comstock

Don't Hide Your Faith

Do not hide your faith and your beliefs under a bushel basket, especially in this world that seems to have gone mad with political correctness. ~ Justice Clarence Thomas

I used to ask why...

"I used to ask why I get to live with such abundance while other people starve. And I think God told me because those who are given abundance are given it to share."

~ Lisa Samson (Justice in the Burbs: Being the Hands of Jesus Wherever You Live)

Love Your Enemies

"I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day...the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day [every state] ... sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today."

~ Martin Luther King, Jr. (Loving Your Enemies)

Restorative Justice