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Justice and Relationships

In Matthew 25:40, Jesus said, “Whatever was done to the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me”. These words brought encouragement to the disciples who were being sent into the world. They would remember that whatever was being done to them was felt and known by Jesus, their brother, Saviour and friend. 

As the body of Christ, are we aware of the pain in other parts of the body? How can we act and speak in solidarity with one another just like Christ does for each of us? 

Every relationship, from our immediate family to the stranger we care for, ought to be founded and empowered by love. In 1 Corinthians 13:3, Paul tells to us that if we give everything to the poor, or even become martyrs, but do not have love, there is no benefit. 

To endure in the work of justice we must determinedly walk through the wastelands produced by greed, lust, and loss—and not run away when overwhelmed with disparity. The anecdote for quitting or disillusionment is not simply greater zeal, but increased love and compassion that comes from the Spirit of God living in each of us. 

We demonstrate love through our relationships with one another. And this love must be more than the words we speak but also the actions we take to relieve one another’s burdens. It is the only way our love can be sincere. It is the way in which we prove we know God’s love—it’s not in how many verses we’ve memorized or in keeping our religious rituals but in how we love one another.

Jesus lived with the poor. He saw them and was moved with compassion and met their needs. Are we empowered and free to do the same? 1 John 3:16-18 encourages us in this way, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 

May our relationships with one another radiate and demonstrate the abundant and generous love of God. May we have the courage and empowerment to live justly with and toward one another. 

Prayer:

Lord, help me to remember that your heart is for the people, not just the cause. Give me a tender heart toward those experiencing injustice; keep me from apathy. As I passionately seek justice, help me to not do so at the expense of my family and friends, but may my pursuit of justice bring my entire community closer to you.