Second Sunday of Lent
Genesis 15:1-12,17-18
Philippians 3:17-4:1
Luke 13:31-35
Psalm 27
‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (Luke 13:34)
With Martin Luther King being assassinated so long ago (6.4.1968) and Desmond Tutu dying late last year (26.12.2021) it is hard to believe they were contemporaries. King was born in 1929, Tutu in 1931.
Both are seen as great prophets of the 20th Century, each addressing injustices in their own context and beyond. One was assassinated at the age of 39. The other lived a long life but suffered many character assassinations for his stand on issues of social justice.
The great Old Testament prophets suffered their share of ill treatment, and Jesus, when he uttered those words knew he would be next but one. John the Baptist was next.
The Church is called to be prophetic in the face of social injustices of our day. Seeking to please everyone, to not rock the boat and fearful of upsetting and losing members, much of today’s preaching avoids confronting governments or business with the result we lose the prophetic edge.
Much of the world trading is based on maximising profits and minimising inputs which includes paying workers as little as possible, far below a living wage. Fair Trade is joining the prophets in saying this is wrong.
Guided by the great Old Testament prophets, Jesus himself and the 10 Principles of Fair Trade we can take prophetic action to ensure justice and fairness in the trading system.
With the mother hen image, Jesus showed great love and compassion for the people of the city of Jerusalem. A characteristic of prophets is their strong words for justice are driven by great love for people. A book of Martin Luther King’s sermons is entitled ‘Strength to Love’ with a photo of King in earnest prayer for the people on the cover. We can picture Desmond Tutu weeping for the oppressed people of South Africa.
Prophetic acts of justice such as appealing to people to purchase Fair Trade are motivated by a desire to improve the lives of people, mostly unseen, in distant lands. This is passionate love working at a distant.
Reflect on your situation. Where are the prophetic voices in your community calling for justice?
‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’. (Martin Luther King Jr)
‘If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor’. (Desmond Tutu)
Prayer
Loving God,
We thank you for the voices and actions of the prophets calling us to faith.
Thank you for those prophets of long ago, recent times, and among us now calling us to action for people and the environment.
Thank you for the voice of Fair Trade calling on a realignment of world trading practices to benefit all parties.
Amen.
