A Life of Justice

Psalm 112 provides us with a glimpse of what a life devoted to God's Reign yields. Someone who fears the Lord and delights in his commandments will see his children's children become mighty in the land, wealth and riches will be his, he will be light in the midst of darkness and his righteousness will endure forever. He will be generous, lending freely to any who ask and run his business with integrity. He will be steadfast, his mind and heart unshakable even when bad news comes and will live to see his enemies defeated. As his righteousness endures forever, he will give freely to the poor and be able to walk with dignity among all.

I recently preached from this text in a small church in southern Mexico and when we finished going through the chapter I asked what do you think is the main point. What seems to be a common concept? A 10 year old girl spoke up from the front row and said, " la justicia." You see in Spanish the word "justicia" appears three times and the noun "justo" another three times. That word has become notorious for keeping us from understanding biblical texts or at least providing us with an excuse for not practicing its demands. In the English text vss. 3, 5 & 9 use terms such as righteousness, honesty and integrity where the Spanish always uses "justicia."

In the Hebrew language the idea of justice has the meaning of rightness, integrity, and without obstruction on a variety of levels. In vs. 3 it is referring to an individual's relation to God. In vs. 5 it refers to a person's dealings with his neighbors, clients, customers and all those with whom he is in daily contact. Finally, in vs. 9 we see a much broader context where justice is being done on a societal level. This verse carries echoes of the "Year of the Lord's favor" that we hear about in the Jubilee, Is. 61 and Lk. 4 when the poor will have the good news preached to them, debts will be cancelled, land re-distributed with equality. The word translated power or dignity which will be gloriously exalted (v.9) is literally in the Hebrew "ram's horn," or the instrument used to announce the year of Jubilee.

The concluding verse of this psalm departs drastically from all these wonderful fruits of a life of justice when it says that this kind of life will provoke anger, resentment and violence from those who profit from the politics of hate, division and war. While the fruit of justice will be peace (Is. 32:17) we often are reminded of the violence that inevitably comes before such peace is obtained. News just came today that a Pentecostal pastor from Honduras who was also the founder of the Latin American network of Christian lawyers was assassinated in what has become an all too common event in that small country. Let us pray, struggle and be in solidarity with those around the world who attempt to live a Psalm 112 life only to fall victim to the reality of its final verse.

Feb. update

Our six month time of introduction and preparation officially came to an end with 2010. After a week with the family in Puebla celebrating Christmas and a wonderful time with friends at the Rocablanca mission base helping with their Festival providing medical consultations to any of the more than 2000 attendees, it was back to Chiapas where we have been blessed since July of 2010 to have found numerous opportunities to serve. First, with our local church with medical consultations both locally and in indigenous communities. Second, sharing via their local radio station programs related to medicine and marriage. Third, preaching and teaching in their Christian Ed. program and fledgling seminary.

Dan continues to collaborate with the Yobel Center for Biblical Studies which this year adds two new professors and an additional location for courses. We have numerous visits planned by distinguished Biblical scholars from around Latin America offering intensive courses. A small book store has been launched in the capital city of Chiapas and we continue to request support to help pay some of our debts with Christian publishers in order to be able to expand our selection.

We also continue to visit the indigenous communities in and around Acteal where a horrible massacre occurred some 13 years ago. As most of those implicated in the massacre (justly or unjustly) now have been released from prison our call is to work with all parties involved toward reconciliation and forgiveness. It is not an easy task but we take heart from the story of the prophet Hosea who reminds us that despite the continuing unfaithfulness of God's people His love and mercy never fails.

As always, we invite anyone with the heart (as the indigenous here say) to come to a place like Chiapas where lessons are able to be learned in abundance precisely because it is a place of such destruction, despair, resistance, love and hope. Please pray if you feel God calling you to visit this "Holy Land" because it is only through seeking that we will find. "The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them" (Hosea 14:9).