Listen

Let me hear what the Lord God says, because he speaks peace to his people and to his faithful ones. Don’t let them return to foolish ways. God’s salvation is very close to those who honor him so that his glory can live in our land. Faithful love and truth have met; righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth springs up from the ground; righteousness gazes down from heaven. Yes, the Lord gives what is good, and our land yields its produce. Righteousness walks before God, making a road for his steps.

Psalm 85:8-13

Think

Did you hear that God is calling us to the Justice League?!

Okay, maybe God’s call to do justice isn’t quite so glamorous. When Psalm 85 talks about salvation and peace, the Hebrew word is shalom. It means wholeness and well-being, justice for all people and all creation.

There is a core expression in Jewish tradition that all Jews are responsible for each other. I love this idea, as hard as it may be. I think it gets at the idea of justice. We are responsible for each other, we care for each other, we accompany each other along the way. If we feel responsible for the people around us, we won’t treat them rudely or poorly. If we take responsibility for others, we will work to make sure their needs are met.

Being responsible for each other doesn’t mean we try to control others. It means we accompany each other: we journey together, we care about the needs around us. Caring about needs and working to meet them is how we do justice.

Laura Edgar

Question to Ponder:

What does it mean to you to take responsibility for others?

Pray

God, thank you that you dream of wholeness and justice for all. Help me to join your dream by taking responsibility for others and caring about their needs.

Amen.

Go

Do justice: pay attention to the needs around you.

Love kindness: take action in big and small ways to help others.

Walk humbly: be confident in God’s love for you, and remember God’s love for everyone.