City, People, Season of Justice

First Week of Advent - Thursday

Isaiah 26:1-6 / Psalm 118:1,8-9, 19-21, 25-27a / Matthew 7:21, 24-27

City, People, Season of Justice

Today’s passage from Isaiah mentions a symbolic city which represents the goal of our pilgrimage of faith: the dwelling place of God – Jerusalem. The gates will open for a people that is just.

Advent and Christmas are seasons that call us to ask questions of justice. In this time which sees so many gifts offered to charitable organizations, it would be good to go a little deeper in our reflections and not only ask who deserves our charitable gifts, but who is deprived of justice in our society and world. If we hope to enter the city of God we certainly need to be a people of justice. We need to work for justice even as we pray that God will prosper the work of our hands (Psalm 118:25).

In Isaiah’s time the gates of the city were the place where people would meet to redress wrongs and make their claims to justice. To enter the gates of God’s city, God’s dwelling, we must seek justice for all.

For your prayerful consideration.

·         How can we not only be charitable this season but also build up justice? 

·         Consider writing to an elected official about a matter of injustice in the local community.

·          If you knew you could make a difference in one social issue, what issue would you choose, and what difference would you make? What steps can you take during this Advent and Christmas to achieve that?

Feel free to share your responses in a comment.