Jacqueline Block, a MCC Service Worker in Chiapas Mexico, reflects on a compilation of Henri Nouwen’s writings entitled: The Road to Peace.
As I continue my search for what it means to be a peacemaker, and what role advocacy has within the realm of peacemaking, I find myself returning to scripture…seeking guidance, seeking for understanding. Two verses stand out: “The seeds of the fruit of righteousness are planted in peace by those who are making peace” (James 3:18) and “Loving-kindness and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other” (Psalm 85:10). These verses may not speak directly to the idea of advocacy, but my thoughts and reflections related to the biblical concept of righteousness have led me to see a strong connection between the two.
Righteousness: biblical and personal perspectives
A modern definition of righteousness might refer generally to individual uprightness, or living by a set of standards. However, in biblical usage, righteousness is rooted in covenants and relationships. For biblical authors, righteousness is the fulfillment of the terms of a covenant between God and humanity or between humans in the full range of human relationships.[1]
A description of a righteous person in Psalm 15 includes: speaking truth from one’s heart, not doing wrong to neighbors, fearing the Lord, keeping an oath, lending money without usury and finally, not accepting a bribe against the innocent.
Reflecting on this description, I sense that I have often focused more on a personal, ethical sense of righteousness or justice. While the desire to live an upright life is honorable, I think it important to ask ourselves if such actions are embedded in a true love for God and neighbor, which is a central theme in both the old and new covenants. After all, that which God requires from us is “to act justly, to love mercy and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8)… again I ask myself, is my righteousness rooted in mercy towards others and walking daily with God?
Peace and righteousness walk hand in hand
In James 3:18, we understand that godly acts of righteousness/justice are sown in peace by those working for peace. The context of this passage is a description of a godly wisdom, a wisdom comprised of peace-loving, submission, mercy, love and impartiality. All of these words, as with the biblical concept of righteousness, have communal implications. In this sense, righteous living calls us to “ask how God’s Shalom is being inhibited or what obstacles exist for God’s Shalom to be real everywhere in the world.” [2]
The context of Psalm 85:10 is a description of the salvation of God. We learn that God’s righteousness is found together with peace. If we are to have the same understanding of salvation as God, we are called to seek and build relationships/communities of love, truth, righteousness and peace. Generally, the righteous man in Israel was the man who preserved the peace and wholeness of the community, because it was he who [preserved] fulfilled the demands of communal living.[3]
The example of Jesus
I continue to be inspired and challenged by Jesus’ example of righteousness and peace building. The following is a quote from Henry Nouwen:
Jesus…hungers and thirsts for uprightness. With fervor he proclaims that the way to the Kingdom is not found in saying many prayers or offering many sacrifices but in feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick and the prisoners (see Matt. 25:31-46). He longs for a just world. He wants us to live with the same hunger and thirst.[4]
With these biblical texts and examples in mind I offer this basic definition of advocacy: Understanding the struggles and plight of others, how and why they occur, and from a faith perspective, collectively finding ways to work towards positive change. Or to put it another way – being an advocate involves hungering and thirsting for people to be treated rightly and/or justly, and taking actions that bring peace to the lives of others.
And so with these reflections on righteousness, peacemaking and advocacy, I am left with this conclusion: Our righteous God calls all people to faithfully cling to the ideals and desires he has for his creation. Of utmost importance to him is the need to live lovingly, honestly, and compassionately with our neighbors, which to me implies working towards and advocating for the holistic well-being (shalom type peace) of us all.
[1] Butler, Trent C. Editor, “Entry for ‘RIGHTEOUSNESS”, Holman Bible Dictionary,
http://www.studylight.org/dic/hbd/view.cgi?number=T5354 (April 2012).
[2] “Advocacy: An Invitation to MCC Service Workers,” Rebecca Bartel, April, 2010.
[3] Art Kratz, “Righteousness in the Old Testament”, http://artkatzministries.org/articles/righteousness-in-the-old-testament/ (April 2012).
[4] Nouwen, Henry J. “Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith,” (New York: HarperCollins, 1997) entry for May 27.
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