Faith without works is dead (see James 2:17 if you want a Christian text to support the claim).
I am not big on religious language, but sometimes it just makes sense.
Some Christian traditions include prayers of confession that mention sins or wrongs of omission alongside those of commission. Sins or wrongs of omission – of not acting – are just as troublesome as those of commission.
Take a Side
I was saddened over the weekend to learn of the passing Holocaust survivor and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, but thankful to come across these words from his Nobel Peace Prize speech in 1986:
I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.
Seek Justice
One of the best known Hebrew Scriptures issues a clear call to action:
What does the Lord require of you but to seek justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)
So What?
I am a student of humanity and of world religions. I am a follower of the Way of Jesus. The religion I follow does not teach its adherents to work for self-interest or to travel safe paths; it challenges all who devote themselves to living it out to get involved in making the world a better place for all people and for all of creation. It is a daily invitation to make real God’s realm on earth.
- What does it mean to you to “seek justice”?
- What is one of our world’s biggest contemporary issues that you have yet to “take sides” on? How might you move forward in seeking justice?
Note: The image included in this post is of a stole I purchased a few years ago from the Center for Liturgical Art. They provide the following description of the piece:
Among the scriptural text are circular images from the ancient Mayan culture signifying centeredness and high holy places. This stole reflects an interfaith and multicultural perspective. Corn represents the bread of life on this stole, just as maize was recognized as a vital life force for the Maya.