Bending Toward Justice

BY KIM MILLER | January 15, 2018
Sunday’s Readings

“Evil may so shape events that Caesar will occupy a palace and Christ a cross, but that same Christ will rise up and split history into A.D. and B.C., so that even the life of Caesar must be dated by his name. Yes, ‘the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.'” -Martin Luther King, Jr.

Each year as Martin Luther King Jr. day approaches, the ISN team picks a quote to share with the network. For many years, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice” has been our choice. It feels good and serves as a reminder of the ultimate promise of our faith.

During Just Community—ISN’s monthly conversation group at a local bar—one of the participants brought up this quote in relation to the month’s theme, “epiphany.” His epiphany was that while this quote makes sense in the context of eternity, he also realized that it was a call out to the people in the here and now.

Whether in the long or short term, God isn’t going to magically repair the deep tears in our world. As people of God, we are called, like Samuel, to be active participants in reconciliation. We are called, like Samuel, to show up, time and time again, ready to serve our God and neighbors, as co-laborers in bending the “arc of the moral universe” toward justice.

For Reflection:

“Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.” Psalm 40:2

“All too many others have been more cautious than courageous and have remained silent behind the anesthetizing security of stained-glass windows” Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter From a Birmingham Jail

In the past week, how have you been called to show up for justice? How have you reacted to this call?