In Search of Righteousness and Justice--June 4, 2020

In our world, Lord Jesus, it is not difficult

to find wickedness where we hope

to find righteousness,

and wickedness where we hope

to find justice.

In your world, it was much the same.

It must have grieved you greatly

to learn of John’s execution.

The deaths of your faithful ones

must grieve you today.

And we grieve

over the terrible injustice

of your torture and death.

Yet in your death and resurrection

we receive the promise of the Spirit

through faith.

May your Spirit work through us

to overcome wickedness,

and to bring into our world

more righteousness and justice.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 143; 147:12-20; 81; 116

Eccl. 3:16-4:3

Gal. 3:1-14

Matt. 14:13-21

Selected Verses

Ps. 116:15

Precious in the sight of the LORD
          is the death of his faithful ones.

Eccl. 3:16

Moreover I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, wickedness was there, and in the place of righteousness, wickedness was there as well.

Gal. 3:14

…in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Matt. 14:13

Now when Jesus heard [of John the Baptist’s execution by Herod], he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself.