Justice, Peace and Reconciliation
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table.” (Lk 16:19-21a)
“But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him. The next day he took two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, “Take care of him.”” (Lk 10:33-35)
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” (Mt 25:35-36)
Social justice is based on sacred scriptures. It is not a recent development; it is not a communist ideology; it is not a political agenda. Social justice is Christ-derived. Jesus, during his earthly life and ministry, emphasizes the need for his disciples to respond with compassion and action. In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, there is an exhortation to not ignore the poor at our fences, the neglected who are byproducts of an unbalanced economic structure. In the parable of the good Samaritan, it is clear: religious, cultural, racial, personal, and national boundaries must be crossed to reach out and help those we do not consider as our neighbors. In the parable of the separation of the sheep from the goats, Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40). Love of God is directly connected with love of neighbor. Love of neighbor, manifested in various ways, whether through charity or working for humanity dignity, is the embodiment of love of God. Social justice then is an active call to aid our brother, sister, neighbor, and stranger.
Thy Kingdom Come.
“But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him. The next day he took two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, “Take care of him.”” (Lk 10:33-35)
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” (Mt 25:35-36)
Social justice is based on sacred scriptures. It is not a recent development; it is not a communist ideology; it is not a political agenda. Social justice is Christ-derived. Jesus, during his earthly life and ministry, emphasizes the need for his disciples to respond with compassion and action. In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, there is an exhortation to not ignore the poor at our fences, the neglected who are byproducts of an unbalanced economic structure. In the parable of the good Samaritan, it is clear: religious, cultural, racial, personal, and national boundaries must be crossed to reach out and help those we do not consider as our neighbors. In the parable of the separation of the sheep from the goats, Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40). Love of God is directly connected with love of neighbor. Love of neighbor, manifested in various ways, whether through charity or working for humanity dignity, is the embodiment of love of God. Social justice then is an active call to aid our brother, sister, neighbor, and stranger.
Thy Kingdom Come.
