Pilgrimage Ponderings
On Mercy and Justice
I love it when God speaks to me through the scriptures in a new way.
Yesterday, I was part of a conversation about how churches in our annual conference do a great job at mercy ministries but do not really have a vision for justice ministries. I've been pondering how to help people think about the difference.
This morning, my prayer guide directed me to the gospel story of the bent-over woman who Jesus healed in the synagogue on the sabbath. And in that story I heard a word about mercy and justice that will preach!
Jesus is merciful to the woman when he heals her of her 18-year-old ailment. She stands up straight and praises God. The caring and the healing of the individual is an act of mercy. But Jesus doesn't stop there. He addresses the injustice of the system.
The synagogue leader is very preoccupied with the rules. And the rules say that healing is work, and work is forbidden on the Sabbath. So he rails against this miracle as being a violation of God's rules.
Jesus calls him a hypocrite and insists that any rule that keeps a person from being healed is no rule of God's. He challenges both the system and the leader giving voice to the system for their lack of compassion. That's justice.
What I will continue to ponder is that the focus of Jesus' ministry is often the need for justice in the religious systems of the day. He has a few things to say about the Roman government, but he has a lot of things to say about the religious leaders who put the rules before the people in need of compassion.
I am wondering what he would have to say to us today.
Jean: Thanks for your thoughts about mercy and justice, a topic that has been on my mind as I see us generously share acts of mercy and infrequently address matters of justice.You made a great connection to scripture. (11/10/07)