Tuesday, October 9, 2007

"Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." - Amos 5:24

Let justice roll. Justice. Justice? It's difficult to define exactly what justice is. It's so situational. All too often it is viewed in a temporal sense, a finite sense, as an end in and of itself. But that seems so inadequate in a world of gross injustice. It seems rather that justice is a process, a verb, something toward which to strive. Justice is not the dam of self-gratifying revenge, but rolling waters; an ever-flowing stream. An ongoing attempt to right wrongs, even when nothing could truly right the wrong that has been committed.

The Supreme Court's decision not to hear a case brought by an alleged victim of the US's rendition policy - a German citizen who was abducted in Macedonia and subject to harsh interrogations in Afghanistan - seems to support a great injustice. By refusing to hear the case the Supreme Court upheld a lower court's decision that a legal doctrine called "state secrets privilege" protected the government's actions from judicial review. This, says the Chicago Tribune, endorses "the administration's use of a sweeping legal defense that prevents claims of abuse and torture at the hands of U.S. interrogators from ever being heard in court."

This is only one instance of injustice - a seeming setback in the riverbed of justice. Just today, Australian contractors in Iraq killed two more civilians. Is it just that these mercenaries are allowed to act in such a way? Where's the justice. Nothing can bring back the lives of those two women. They have been taken forever from their families. What will happen to those contractors? What justice will be done? What about the recent Blackwater debacle, in which more civilians were slain? Not to mention all the civilian casualties of this war. There just seems to be no adequate justice.

It is at times like these when it is easy to despair. It's easy to doubt. It's easy to get caught up in anger and even to wish injustice on those who perpetrate injustice. But this is exactly what we must guard against. We are the tributaries of this mighty river of justice and all of our actions need, as far as possible, to be consistent with this goal in mind. It's as if the means are the end. Justice begets justice. So let us pray:

Merciful God, you are the source of justice. You are the creator of the heavens and the earth and all that dwell therein. You, O God, know the injustices of this earth. You sent your prophets to call the people to repent from injustice. You sent your Son, who suffered the injustices of this world and yet conquered through forgiveness, praying "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." By rising from the tomb Jesus turned the injustice of state violence on its head and conquered the powers of this world that would keep us from loving you ever more fully by actively doing justice to our neighbors and all creation. Give us the strength, wisdom, and courage to be tributaries of your great love, so that we may feed the mighty river of justice. We pray this in the name of your most holy Son, Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Monday, October 8, 2007

It's one of those mixed-bag news days where no one story makes a play for the lead. News outlets present a wide range of top stories, ranging from politics as usual to the trials of life in Afghanistan and Iraq.

There's word that Britain's prime minister has opted not to call a widely expected early election, but will reduce by half (2,500) the number of UK troops in Iraq. Influential Iraqi leaders have "lost faith" in a key US benchmark of national reconciliation amid ongoing sectarian violence and a constitution that apparently entrenches separatism. Meanwhile, in nearby Israel, Prime Minister Olmert has pledged a major push for peace with the Palestinians. Some give weight to a shooting rampage by 20-year-old Sheriff's deputy in Wisconsin that left six dead at the weekend. There are reports that a love triangle is behind the killing.

Quite a mix of hope and despair in the headlines and a great reminder of the necessity to pray for those in leadership - whether it be of countries, political parties, companies, churches, schools, or any other type of organization. It has been a prayer of mine for a long time that those in leadership will become humble in the face of God's gracious power. I pray daily for the leaders of the nations of this world, whether I admire them or not, whether they're of my nation or another nation. Just imagine what could happen if we all pray earnestly for our leaders to be receptive to the Good News of God's dominion and the call on each and every one of us - great and small of power - to be stewards of all creation and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Let us pray:

Loving God, today of all days, we are mindful of your power and our agency. Enable us by the power of your Holy Spirit to live by example and to lead with moral courage. Humble us by the sheer might of your Gentle Presence so that we may find the courage to stand up for justice and fairness and live lives worthy of the label "disciple." Amen.

Welcome!

Hello and welcome!

Allow me to proclaim some good news: We, people of faith, in this day and age have an unparalleled opportunity to pray for and act in support of our brothers and sisters both close to home and in the farthest reaches of the planet. The news media (irrespective of their national and political biases) provide us near-instantaneous access to the most significant events affecting our neighbors.

When the news is depressing, even sickening - with reports of wars and rumors of war, earthquakes in various places, tsunamis, droughts, diseases, accidents, hatred, fear, calamities, and crime - it gives us a host of opportunities to pray, whether it be in private of public lament, intercessory prayer, or a simple "Please God help them!"

When the news brings tidings of great joy - with reports of peace deals, individual or communal healing, reconciliation, avoided disasters, along with great or little acts of unselfish mercy - it gives us a host of opportunities to pray, whether it be in private or public thanksgiving, joyful affirmations of God's presence, or a simple "Thank you God!"

For several years my love of God and of my fellow humanity as well as my passion for current events and being in the know have coincided in an activity I call praying the news. It is a spiritual practice that not only involves growing deeper in one's prayer life and learning different ways of praying and meditating, but also observing the news in a more responsible way - both to one's self and also to creation in its rich fullness.

So come, journey with me.

Rev. Steven T. Savides