Good morning
Here’s today’s Holy Nougat
“Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Philippians 4:8 NRSV
Joseph was torn between law and love. The Law said Mary could be stoned to death for being pregnant with another’s child. (Check the woman caught in adultery) But love said, no way. God hadn’t revealed the salvation plan to him (Joseph) at that time and Mary’s story was a little far fetched to him.
Joseph’s choice was righteousness, which accommodated Justice.
He opted to send her away. It was somewhat grace-filled, he was fully human.
Choosing to be Just is rarely fun. It requires looking beyond ourselves to the larger picture. To ensure that the rights and needs of the silent and silenced are considered/included in whatever we plan. Sometimes it’s about equitability – making access for the vulnerable beyond mere tokenism. Sometimes it’s doing the right thing rather than seeking revenge on another. Sometimes it’s choosing to act, instead of remaining indifferent.
I’m not always just, but I think about it a lot (work related). It’s not always what one deserves, but about what is fair. So we often boycott product purchases to raise awareness of human rights violations. Is that the most just way to address them? Is this the season to revisit the Christmas story and allow God’s Justice to take root in our hearts? To invite Zacchaeus into our circle (at his expense) as s/he seeks redemption and grace?
It’s rough. But let’s begin with entertaining the possibility.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
