Clergy Comment column

Here is my article published in the August 2, 2018 Camrose Canadian Clergy Comment column. PLEASE NOTE: This is my last Clergy Comment column, since sadly, the Camrose Canadian will publish its last issue next Thursday, August 9, 2018. L

   Justice. It’s been said that justice is not for just us, which reminds me of the song “Justice” by Canadian singer-songwriter, Bruce Cockburn: “Everybody loves to see justice done on somebody else.” If justice is only for just us, then the question arises does everybody else live with injustice? Bruce Cockburn’s lyrics may have the nuance of dreading justice because it might involve something we don’t want.

   What is justice? Can we live without it? If we observe and analyze the news from around the world, it appears that there are far too many nations that justice is denied to way too many people.

   According to biblical scholars, the Hebrew word tsedeq is mentioned some 119 times; and the feminine form tsedaqah is mentioned some 159 times in the Old Testament. The two words have a variety of meanings: moral uprightness, righteousness, holiness, honesty, integrity, legal rights, good government, fairness, equality-including economic equality, innocence, prosperity and salvation. In the New Testament, the Greek word dikaiosune is mentioned some 92 times. It has a similar meaning as the Old Testament words.

   There are, of course, at least two kinds of justice. God’s justice, which reflects God’s nature, and is usually impartial, all-inclusive, and very concerned about the poor and vulnerable, widows, orphans, and foreigners. Human justice, at its best, endeavours to strive for a justice that reflects God’s justice, however it shall always be influenced by our sinful condition and hence be imperfect, proximate, and provisional—determined by socio-economic-political and ideological agendas. 

   As a people of faith, in response to God’s grace, and the just ways that God and other humans have treated us, we are given our mission: “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) “Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 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.’” (Matthew 25:34-36)

   Justice is not for just us, it is for everyone. It involves the practical living out of our lives with compassion towards all; seeing every human being as a brother and a sister created in the image of God.

Christian aid agencies suspended from Somalia

According to Ecumenical News International, three Christian Aid agencies have been suspended from Somalia by an Islamic militant group, Al Shabaab. In spite of all three groups insisting that they have not engaged in proselytising, they have been falsely accused of it and are now suspended from Somalia. Jesus said, "You shall know them by their fruit." I think that applies to both those within the Christian faith and those outside of it. Eventually one hopes and prays that the truth will set free those who are enslaved by corrupt and evil tyrants. May God help and have mercy on the people of Somalia who will face further adverse consequences from this oppressive suspension. You can read the article here.

Wm. Sloane Coffin on Justice

The Rev. Wm. Sloane Coffin reminded me a lot of the 20th century version of the prophet Jeremiah. His voice was--and in some cases, still is--worth listening to. Here are a few examples of Sloane Coffin at his best, from his book, Credo:

   Not to take sides is effectively to weigh in on the side of the stronger. (p. 50)

   The Bible is less concerned with alleviating the effects of injustice than in eliminating the causes of it. (p. 50)

   To know God is to do justice. To recognize this implacable moral imperative of the faith represents the kind of religion that mixes well with politics. (p. 51)

   To believe you can approach transcendence without drawing nearer in compassion to suffering humanity is to fool yourself. There can be no genuine personal religious conversion without a change in social attitude. (p. 51)

   Compassion and justice are companions, not choices. (p. 51)

   Hell is truth seen too late. (p. 53)

   The word "homeless" is devastating, suggesting neither comfort nor companionship, dignity nor grace, and precious little identity. To have no place is to be no place. Homlessness is nowheresville--whether you're one of the world's 14 million refugees, a boat person from Indochina, one of Calcutta's 400,000 semi-starved sidewalk dwellers, or one of the 36,000 who in New York City spend so much of their time huddled in doorways, wrapping themselves in the Daily News. (pp. 54-55)

   The biblical reminder is clear: whatever our economic system, the enemy is excess, not possessions. The battle cry is "Enough!" not "Nothing!" "Enough" so that we can all break bread together, so that everyone's prayer can be answered--"Give us this day our daily bread." (p. 57) 

   The way we are cutting taxes for the wealthy and social programs for the poor, you'd think the greedy were needy and the needy were greedy. (p. 61)

   God is not mocked: what is grossly immoral can never in the long run be politically expedient. (p. 100)

Amen! and Lord, have mercy on us all...