“But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
-Amos 5:24
I love water references in scripture! Maybe it’s the Nova Scotian in me, but there’s just something powerful about this kind of image. In part, because it’s a source of life that refreshes us and quenching our thirst, but also because water is powerful. We know that even with it’s life-giving properties, water can also be dangerous. Water can just as quickly be destructive, with the ability to overtake and change life and landscape at a moment’s notice. Which is probably why it’s such a popular image not just in scripture but in various forms of art. The image of water can speak to so many different things in life. IN this case, the Prophet Amos seeks to speak of God’s desire for justice. Reminding his listeners that both justice and righteousness are meant to be a part of the human life. So what exactly is justice and righteousness, and what does it mean for us, as followers of Christ to seek it? Often, the word justice is associated with the judicial system, where a person is punished in response to a harmful act. It holds to the idea that “justice is served” once there are consequences for one’s actions. Which is one part of the idea of justice. But there is more to justice than punishment. Justice is about holding one another to account for our actions while also seeking equality and fairness for all. And so justice is about working together to create a world where the well-being of all is considered, and where we seek to give all people a fair and equal chance in life. Which leads us to righteousness. In order to see justice in the world, we must live our lives in a way that upholds the values of fairness, equality and love for all. And so, through the Prophet Amos, we are reminded that we are called to live our lives in a way that promotes justice. So that justice flows endlessly upon all who need it. Which isn’t an easy task. Being a justice-seeker is tough. It requires an awareness to suffering and hte ways in which inequality still exists. It also requires a willingness to take risks, to stand up and speak out even when one’s stance might be unpopular. But it is something God desires for us and of us. For we are called to play our part in creating this new vision in the world around us. Which is the Kingdom Jesus preached about, and the and the kind of life the early Christian church sought to emulate. And so, in this season of Lent, my invitation to you is this: look within and pray about the need for justice in this world. Ask yourself, how can I help seek justice for my neighbour? What do I need to change about myself? My community? Our world, to help establish a more just society? Because this is a part of our calling as disciples of Christ. So let us continue to grow into our calling, so that we might make a difference, one small step at a time.
Devotional was written by Rev. Tara Ann Gourson, March 2021.
Bideford Pastoral Charge 