Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“By a perversion of justice he was taken away. Who could have imagined his future? For he was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people.”
NL Daily Devotion for Thursday, June 22, 2023
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Justice is easily perverted. In fact, I don’t think people can even agree on what “justice” actually means. It can be confused with “revenge.” It can be twisted to favor those in power at the expense of the powerless. It can be used to justify atrocities of every kind in the name of “security.”
This prophecy is often associated with Jesus, who was a victim of state violence in the name of “security” and preserving the status quo. He suffered in solidarity with all those oppressed he came to set free. He still suffers in solidarity with all those who continue to be victims of state violence that pretends to be justice and calls us to his work of liberation.
To that end, it is critical that we examine our understanding of justice and recognize all the ways it has been and continues to be perverted. Until we do so honestly, we won’t be able to move toward God’s perfect and liberating justice for all creation.
What is my definition of “justice?” Do I think my country’s ideas of justice match up with this? Why or why not?
