Justice and Righteousness

Tuesday, December 12, 2006 -- Week of Advent 2, Year 1

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117
An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 936)
Psalms 26, 28 (morning) // 36, 39 (evening)
Isaiah 5:13-17, 24-25
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
Luke 21:29-38

"But the Lord of hosts is exalted by justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy by righteousness." (Isaiah 5:16)

As I read this brief verse, it reminded me how struck I am by the repetition of this theme throughout scripture, particularly in the prophets. The measure of a good life and a right relationship with God is consistently marked by two things: 1. the presence of justice in social, political, and economic affairs; and 2. the disposition of our hearts manifested in faithfulness of prayer, worship, and morality. Justice and Righteousness.

So often it seems the church is more comfortable talking about the call to righteousness than the call to justice. In most churches, including our own, we expect to hear about how we pray, how we worship, and how we treat other people ethically, and we easily engage in conversation about those matters.

Engaging the call to justice raises more anxieties. Many Christians see commentary on social issues, politics or economics to be off-limits in the church, especially during worship. Maybe that is because these conversations feel more threatening to us. Maybe it is because there is such genuine disagreement about what is just that constructive conversation is difficult.

What is clear in the scripture record is that both justice and righteousness are major concerns.

I don't want to leave this reflection without spending a little time on the lovely passage from 1st Thessalonians. Several phrases from this section are used in one of my favorite blessings -- "Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all persons; love and serve the Lord rejoicing in the power the Spirit." I noticed that the new Bishop of California adds a justice oriented phrase to his version of this scriptural blessing: "be patient with all but make no peace with oppression."

One passage in particular from today's reading is a good one to memorize and take to heart. It's a pretty good mission or goals statement: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

The brief verse 17 "pray without ceasing" has inspired the practice of the Jesus Prayer, breath prayers, and other mantras. The invocation to "give thanks in all circumstances" echoes the call from the sursum corda -- "It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.."

These are strong foundational sentiments to ground us in a life of righteousness and justice. That is the call God gives us from scripture.

Lowell
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The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR