Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the
hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong
or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor
shed innocent blood in this place. Jeremiah 22:3
Life Question: What Is Your Definition of Social Justice?
March 15th former Methodist pastor Wayne Walther and I attended
Day on the Hill'. This year was done differently. Due to the construction
being done at the Capitol, Wayne and I along with many others attended
the conference part at the B'nai Israel Synagogue with the chance to meet
with our legislators at a later date after session the legislators is completed.
Wayne and I were greeted by Carli Sussman, President of B'nai Israel
Synagogue in Rochester, Mn who graciously gave us a tour of the building
and the temple sanctuary.
She showed us the five books of the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Deuteronomy and Numbers) one of which escaped the unscathed from
the Holocaust.
Our Interfaith Call to Justice which was based on Leviticus Chapter 19:18
"Love your neighbor ash yourself," was delivered by Bob Rubinyl, JRLC
board member of the Jewish faith. The other faith leaders in attendance
were Protestant Rev. Doug Mitchell, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Mpls,
from the Islamic faith JRLC board member Fatma Reda and Jason Atkins, Exec.
Director Catholic Conference.
This year's topic was 'Advocacy'. JRLC's Jennifer Nelson gave the presentation
based on the lessons from Moses(the most mentioned person in the Quran). Her
question to us was, "How are we to have order in our lives(justice)?" Two of those
ways, she explained, is through politics and charity towards one another.
The other ways we have learned advocacy is through the life of Moses(the most
mentioned person in the Quran) was filled with both turmoil and challenge:
*He and his people wandered the desert for forty years.(that's what happens
when you don't ask for God's direction!)
*He was born in a time of turmoil.
*Moses stuttered and because of that speech impediment, told God he
didn't want to do the work.
*In spite of Moses telling God he didn't want to do the work, Moses was
the one who went face to face with God when Moses brought down the
Ten Commandments.
*In spite of Moses telling God he couldn't possibly go to Egypt and tell Pharaoh
to "LET MY PEOPLE GO!" with God's help, he accomplished what God set him out
on a mission to do!
For all of his challenges and turmoil he faced, God gave him the strength and guidance he needed, when he needed it, even though he had the same
concerns then, that we do today with being an advocate, such as:
*Who am I to talk to a leader?
*Don't know what to say.
*Not good at speaking((Quran 20:25:35 Moses' Prayer).
Advocacy is a long term process(Duet. 34:7), that's why we need
to have the right tools going forward, the best presentation we can
make regarding our concerns and center ourselves in prayer so we
can be effective as advocates for whatever our concern or cause
is that we are passionate about!
Moses is proof that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens
us(Philippians 4:13)!
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you,
Liz Ciccone
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