A KINGDOM OF JUSTICE

My nephew is 50 and I sent him birthday greetings today. He has ridden the crest of the wave of prosperity in his country though not without hard work, risks and setbacks. He is not poor

but he is not rich either. He has what he needs and this brings him happiness. The

environment is right for him. The country provided stability, credit and structure. The nation

is at peace and the government is on its toes to respond to the voters. Elections are keenly

fought, transparent and unchallenged. His two boys and a girl go to excellent schools which

reward hard work and hard play. A variety of opportunities are open to them if they are ready

to search.

 

It was not always like that. The country was a colony for centuries and its people oppressed -

second class citizens. They struggled to be free and eventually succeeded a hundred years

ago. With independence their home grown government floundered for a while, unused to the

feel of power and untrained in the management of the economy. But the society was open and

talent was able to rise and be heard. After drifting for decades the leaders found their feet.

Imaginative people pushed on an open door; the economy boomed and the country

flourished.

 

My nephew’s country is not the only one enjoying such fruits. There are others on the planet

like his. Would that ‘others’ becomes ‘all’! It is obviously possible. If some can do it, all can

do it. But there are blockages. There are leaders who do not open the door for their people

because it will threaten their own position. There are international businesses, more powerful

than nations, which exploit the vulnerability of governments – even developed ones.

To move toward universal prosperity – the kingdom Jesus announced as ‘among you’ – takes

courage. It is the courage of the prophets like Ezekiel who we read this Sunday. He is to

‘warn the leaders in my name’. A tough call! Jesus widens the call beyond a few special

prophets to all his disciples: ‘if your brother does something wrong, go and have it out with

him’. We are responsible. We are to announce the kingdom by how we live. God wants all

his people to ‘enjoy the fruits’. But do we?

 

My nephew lives a dignified life. He has neither too much nor too little. His is the harvest

others planted and cultivated. Now he is helping others.

 

6 Sept 2020     Sunday 23A    Ezek 33:7-9     Rom 13: 8-10              Matt 18:15-20