Day 2 for Thu Jan 18, 2023
Anne Avellone is Director of Social Action Ministry
​of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico

Readings
Prov 21:13-15     When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers
​Mt. 23:23-25    Justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done

Reflection
From the beginning the Book of Proverbs sets out to provide wisdom and instruction in “wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity” (1:2).  Throughout its oracles of wisdom, the call to act justly and to pursue righteousness is a constant refrain, relentlessly shared and affirmed as more acceptable to God than sacrifice.  In a one-sentence pearl of wisdom, the speaker testifies that the righteous rejoice when justice is done.  But justice upsets the workers of iniquity.  Christians, across their separations, should be united in joy when justice is done, and prepared to stand together when this justice brings opposition.  When we do what the Lord requires and dare to pursue justice, we may find ourselves in a whirlwind of resistance and opposition to any attempt to make things right for the most vulnerable among us.

Those who benefit from the systems and structures buttressed by White supremacy and other oppressive ideologies such as “casteism” and patriarchy will seek to delay and deny justice, often violently.  But to seek justice is to strike at the heart of the powers, making space for God’s just ordering and enduring wisdom in a world all too often unmoved by suffering.  And yet, there is joy in doing what is right.  There is joy in affirming that “Black Lives Matter” in the pursuit of justice for God’s oppressed, dominated, and exploited beloved.

There is joy in seeking reconciliation with other Christians so that we may better serve the proclamation of the kingdom.  Let that joy manifest itself through our shared experiences of God’s presence in community in the known and unknown spaces where God journeys with us toward healing, reconciliation and unity in Christ.

Christian Unity
The religious leaders Jesus addresses in the Gospel passage have grown accustomed and comfortable with the injustices of the world.  They are happy to perform religious duties such as tithing mint, dill and cumin, but neglect the weightier and more disruptive demands of justice, mercy and faithfulness.  Similarly Christians have grown accustomed and comfortable with the divisions that exist between us.  We are faithful in much of our religious observance, but often we neglect the Lord’s challenging desire that all his disciples be one.

Challenge
How can local congregations support one another to withstand the opposition that may follow from doing justice?

​Prayer
God, you are the source of our wisdom. We pray for wisdom and courage to do justice, to respond to what is wrong in the world by acting to make it right;
We pray for wisdom and courage to grow in the unity of your Son, Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit, reigns forever and ever. Amen.