Reverend Faith Fowler recently give a sermon to the General Board of Church and Society based on Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
This sermon has been reproduced as three weekly articles in “Faith in Action” the weekly News and Views letter by the United Methodist General Board on Church and Society. I especially appreciate Rev. Fowler’s take on balancing Mercy and Justice, which she ties in to a Catholic Social Teaching that Justice and Mercy are the two feet of Christian Service:
Listening to those we assist through charity makes it possible to discern what the real justice issues are. Proximity to those who are disenfranchised also instills in us a sense of urgency. Knowing the people who are negatively impacted by bad policies, for example, should light a fire in us to rectify the problems yesterday.
The same is true for justice. Doing justice is not a substitute for mercy. Engaging in justice can help us correct our own motives in regard to acts of mercy.
The sermons can be accessed directly at:
- A Poor Excuse: http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=6761745&ct=9371863
- It’s not about you!: http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=6769441&ct=9385077
- Both/and, not either/or: http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=7456343&ct=10756861