Today’s reading in the lectionary cycle, a few short verses away from yesterday’s reading in Matthew’s Gospel, offers interesting perspective to our debate. Jesus addresses the religious authorities of his day: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices–mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law–justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former” (23:23). Here in this statement, works of mercy are linked closely with works of justice. To be faithful to God, justice and mercy are both necessary actions. So, as we consider this question of which is more important—which is the greatest—a merciful ministry of direct service or a prophetic ministry of social justice, perhaps we find a flaw in the question itself. In my case, as an intern with Interfaith Worker Justice, focusing on economic justice issues, perhaps it is my place to educate the religious community about the links between poverty and the plight of the low wage worker: that by enabling the worker to organize through labor unions, they are able to gain access to affordable health care, a just wage, and safe working conditions, and break free from the shackles of poverty that seek to oppress our sisters and brothers. All humans have a right to dignity. So, yes, we must feed and shelter those in need, but we must also address the root causes of poverty in our world that keep people hungry and without shelter. Perhaps this is why the next line in the Baptismal Covenant is “will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being”(305).
As we, as Christians committed to living out the Beatitudes, claim the prophetic voice that the Church and world desperately need, let us not forget to remain connected to the people we are called to serve and be in community with. Let us not forget to remain connected to the God that calls us into this life of service and justice. So now, when I consider the debate between which is the greatest—service or justice—when I think about the complicated nature of the evils of the world that seek to oppress, the intricate web that tangles us all—when I hear another religious leader say that this is more than this congregation can take on, how can we do both—I will remember the Baptismal Covenant’s response to these charges to “seek and serve Christ in all persons” AND “strive for justice and peace”(305). How do we do both service and justice? How do we be both servant and prophet? The answer is clear in the Baptismal Covenant. We can do so, but only “with God’s help”.
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