Do Justice, Love Kindness, Walk Humbly

Wednesday, April 11, 2007 -- Wednesday of Easter Week

"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. 958)
Psalms 97, 99 (morning) 115 (evening)
Micah 7:7-15
Acts 3:1-10
John 15:1-11


"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?"

In one short verse, Micah summarizes the message of the prophets. Their message is consistent with the teaching of Jesus. The prophetic call is based on three important Hebrew words.

"Mishpat" -- justice -- is the foundational value that the prophets demand in the name of God governing the social and economic relationships among God's people. Justice demands fairness and equality, especially on behalf of the weak and the poor.

"Hesed" -- kindness -- is sometimes translated mercy or steadfast love. It describes the loyalty and integrity of a person who fulfills one's social obligations responsibly.

"Hatsnea' lekhet" -- to walk humbly -- contrasts with exploiting power in order to abuse or cheat or oppress another. Micah like the other prophets decry the corruption, greed and injustice that destroy the integrity of a society.

This is the social, economic and political agenda of the prophets -- do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly. Usually they address their complain toward the powerful and the wealthy who most commonly in history use their power to pursue their own ends selfishly -- ignoring the demands of justice, kindness, and humility.

In John's gospel we see Jesus using the word "love" to summarize these expectations. "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love." If we abide in love, we will fulfill the values of the ancient prophets -- we will do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God. And Jesus tell us we will have joy: "I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete."

In the Acts of the Apostles we see the effect of this abiding in love in action. Peter and John are entering the Temple for one of the daily hours of prayer. At the gate is a man who was born lame. He is excluded from the Temple prayers: "For no one who has a blemish shall draw near, one who is blind or lame, or one who has a mutilated face or a limb too long, or one who has a broken foot or a broken hand, or a hunchback, or a dwarf, or a man with a blemish in his eyes or and each team disease or scabs are crushed testicles" may enter the sanctuaries ( Leviticus 21:18f). The lame man begs at the temple entrance because the Torah commands almsgiving from God's congregation.

Traditionally, in Mediterranean culture one would offer one's eyes from looking upon someone with the listed conditions. These were people who were regarded as sinners, afflicted by evil on account of sin and wrongdoing. To look at them would be to risk contamination by whatever evil punishes them.

"Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, 'Look at us.'" That is a remarkable moment. How much of our energy do we spend looking away from what is uncomfortable? ...averting our attention from suffering and poverty? Defying custom, Peter and John look at the lame man and offer him healing in the name of Jesus. For the first time in his life he is able to enter the Temple, join the prayers, and praise God, like everybody else. This is the active form of love which does justice, loves kindness, and walks humbly.
Lowell
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The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

See our Web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

Our Rule of Life:
We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.