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Background
 Begin by developing
a definition of
justice. Ask the
group how they would
define justice
and write the
suggestions so that
participants can see
them. Note the words
they suggest that
match Webster's
dictionary
definition:
"the quality of
being righteous;
impartiality;
fairness; the
quality of being
right or correct;
the use of authority
or power to uphold
what is right, just,
or lawful." You
also may want to
look at recent news
clippings of local
events or situations
that highlight the
need to speak out
for justice on
behalf of persons in
your community.
Reading
The
Parable of the
Persistent Widow
Luke 18:1–8a
Reflection
The
legal term for
someone who
represents oneself
in a court of law,
without the voice or
advice of an
attorney, is pro
se.
The
woman in this
parable was pro
se in today's
legal sense and also
in terms of her
standing as a member
of the Jewish
community of her
day. Without a
husband or male
relative to
represent her, she
had little hope of
ever being heard,
let alone of
receiving justice
from even the best
judge.
The
people who today are
most in need of
justice have the
smallest voices and
the lowest
standings: women and
children in poverty,
the homeless,
victims of domestic
violence, innocent
people caught in the
crossfire of warring
ethnic or cultural
factions.
Like
the persistent
widow, they will not
just go away, yet
the person who
confronts systems of
power pro se
today is unlikely to
prevail. It is only
when we become
"persistent
widows" on
their behalf — in
response to God's
call to faithfulness
and in recognition
of the dignity of
all God's people —
that they will
receive the same
measure of justice
that we expect for
ourselves.
Discussion
| 1. |
What is
justice? |
| 2. |
What
is the
relationship
of justice
to mercy? Is
God just or
merciful or
both with
us? |
| 3. |
What
are you most
tired of
hearing
about in the
news? Why
won't the
problem go
away? If you
were
president of
the world,
what
solutions
would you
offer? |
| 4. |
Which
persons or
groups in
your
congregation
or
community,
regardless
of their
social or
economic
status, need
your
persistence
on their
behalf? What
are two
specific
actions you
can take in
the next
week, in the
next month,
and in the
next year to
help them
find
justice?
What
specific
actions can
you, as
Women of the
ELCA, take
on their
behalf? |
Prayer
Gracious God, you
are fair beyond our
comprehension and
merciful beyond our
experience. We seek
to learn from you as
we journey in faith.
Open our hearts to
the pro se
people around us,
that we may join
with them in their
quest for justice.
Amen
Written
by Susan K. Wendorf
for Women of the
ELCA. Copyright ©
1995 Women of the
Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America.
All rights reserved.
May be reproduced
for use by Women of
the ELCA in
congregations
provided each copy
carries the
copyright notice
above. For
all other purposes, contact
us.
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