Cry Out for Justice (Psalm 15) by Pastor Don Bird

23 Jun Cry Out for Justice (Psalm 15) by Pastor Don Bird

“He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.” ~ Psalm 15 (full readings)
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Pastor Don’s Reflections:  Justice.  Throughout the Holy Scriptures, prophets have cried out for justice on behalf of God, and found themselves standing on their own.  God has called His people to practice justice and partner with Him in defending and protecting the poor, the alien, the widow, the orphan, and the helpless.  In my faith tradition, when we are baptized, we make a promise to “resist injustice and oppression in whatever forms they may present themselves.”  We believe that our worship of God and our pursuit of justice are synonymous.  What is justice?  The widely held definition is “to make right”.  One of the most holistic words for justice, however, is the Hebrew word, shalom, which means both justice and peace.  True shalom involves bringing relationships into wholeness and healing.  It is the restoration of that which has been broken.  When we practice justice, it is always within the context of community – helping to restore what is broken (individuals, governments, laws, systems, etc.) to be in right relationship with God.  As followers of Jesus, we are called to view the world through the lens of justice and to be vessels of God’s healing and wholeness in the world.  We are called to point out and give voice to the broken and the innocent who cannot protect themselves against unjust systems and practices.  This prophetic work is difficult and it may feel we are standing on our own.  Cry out for justice anyway.  In so doing, “justice will roll on like a river” as we partner with God in bringing healing, wholeness, and life to this land.
* Pastor Don Bird is the Lead Pastor at Hope United Methodist Church in Greenwood Village, CO.  He lives in Aurora, CO with his wife of 18 years, Mandy, and his two children, Ethan and Haleigh..

Faith Challenge:   In what ways is God calling you to use your voice to speak for those whom we are called to protect?  Is it through a conversation with someone who is Pro-choice or an individual contemplating an abortion?  Is it writing a letter to your government official?  Is it attending a rally or wearing a LIFE-runners t-shirt?

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel..
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Our Prayers: Pray LIFE Runners Creed to End Abortion.  Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day:  St. Joseph Cafasso
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Faith Quote:  “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” ~ Proverbs 31:8-9 (NLT)

Through Christ our Lord,
Pastor Don Bird
1 John 3:18