Date: Monday, March 2
Scripture: Matthew 12:18
“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.”
by Darrel Reinford, Executive Director, Christian Churches United
We who are God’s servants are called to proclaim justice. But what is the justice that we are proclaiming? There are many voices claiming to proclaim God’s justice in our time. If we look at what Jesus and his disciples were doing immediately prior to when Matthew uses this quote from Isaiah, we get a sense of what justice meant to him. Both Jesus and his disciples broke the Sabbath laws of the Pharisees, harvesting grain when they were hungry and healing a man with a wounded hand – so justice is not just about following or enforcing the law.
The justice that Jesus is proclaiming calls us to meet the basic needs of those who are hungry and to bring healing to those who are hurting. It is a holistic justice. God has given his Spirit to us, and he calls us to proclaim his holistic justice.
This can be done by working towards making the secular system of justice a more restorative system, but also by reaching out to the individuals affected by the system, and finding ways to make our communities of faith more supportive places for those seeking a fresh start. We know that supportive relationships are essential for successful reentry and reducing recidivism. How is God calling you to offer support to someone seeking restoration and hope today?
Prayer: God, may we hear your voice today, reminding us that we are loved, that you delight in us. Help us follow your call to proclaim a holistic justice, sharing your love and healing in order to restore relationships and build communities of shalom. Amen.
Criminal Justice Fact: 85% of prisoners placed in restrictive housing units in PA were written up for something as simple as “failure to obey an order.”
Action: Read this article about a woman who was placed in solitary confinement for having two onions in her cell: https://www.publicsource.org/i-spent-17-days-in-solitary-for-having-two-onions-in-my-cell-the-isolation-changed-me/
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