Since 2009, every 20 February has been the UN observance known as “World Day of Social Justice”, and today gives us the opportunity to stand and speak out against the injustice of our day. (https://www.gov.za/WorldDayofSocialJustice2023) Social justice refers to the equitable distribution of resources and opportunities within a society, aiming for fairness for all individuals regardless of their circumstances.
Our International Mission Statement gives clear and confident direction to what we as The Salvation Army advocate strongly about. The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
The Salvation Army also has a Statement of Position that further strengthens our Social response to the many spaces and places where Godly justice is missing.
STATEMENT OF POSITION
The Salvation Army believes that power, whether it is economic, emotional, legal, physical, political, psychological, religious or social, should always be exercised so as to promote the values of the Kingdom of God, such as love, justice and mutual respect. It should never be used for manipulation or exploitation. The Salvation Army strongly opposes any use of power that is oppressive, cruel or corrupt, or that denies human rights.
When will it end? When will it stop?
We live in a world and wake up to the stench of social injustice and it’s despair that is easy enough to find without any looking at all. A walk down in community street, or a ride in a taxi to work gives way to the voice of hopelessness. Where will it all end, when will it all stop? Now more than ever, we are called to be activists in our circles of influence to live our lives in a way that will impact and bring about positive change for the vulnerable and at risk boys and girls, men and women, who so often are neither seen or heard.
Reflecting on the impactful lives of individuals like Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr., and William Booth, we find inspiration in their total and wholehearted commitment to social justice. These people all made choices in their day-to-day lives to live differently so that life would be better for others. ( https://salvosmagazine.org.au/articles/the-social-justice-lifestyle/) Their intentional actions serve as a testament to the transformative power of everyday choices in shaping a more equitable society.
How about you and me?
Drawing from the teachings of Jesus Christ, we find a mandate to extend compassion and empathy towards those marginalized by society. We frequently see how Jesus responds to the social injustice displayed to those seen as outcasts of society: lepers, prostitutes, sinners and others. Seeing how Jesus interacted with and viewed marginalised people guides us in how we should relate to them today. In the encounter with the woman washing Jesus’ feet with her hair (Luke 7:36-39), we witness Jesus asking Simon Peter: “Do you see this woman?” Simon Peter saw the woman but perhaps not without the labels of judgment. Unlike Simon Peter, Jesus in His response shows justice, mercy and love. How about you and me? Do we see the suffering of the less fortunate, the disparity between the haves and have-nots? What are you and I able to do in order to bring about social justice for the less fortunate?
As stewards of God’s mandate for justice, we are entrusted with the responsibility to advocate for the marginalized and oppressed. By embracing the values exemplified by Jesus Christ, we can become catalysts for meaningful change, helping create a world where social justice prevails.
On this World Day of Social Justice let us heed the call to action and stand in solidarity against social injustice. Let us learn to see with the eyes of Jesus and invite everyone who cares enough to listen to fight against the social injustice in this world. Together, in Jesus’ name, let us champion the cause of social justice and strive to build a world where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Let’s do something, let’s do justice in Jesus’ Name!
References:
https://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/sites/default/files/files/tsmp_int_social_justice.pdf
https://www.salvationarmy.org/isjc/go_and_do_something https://salvosmagazine.org.au/articles/the-social-justice-lifestyle/
https://salvosmagazine.org.au/articles/the-social-justice-lifestyle/
https://www.salvationarmy.org.za/the-use-of-power/
https://minutehack.com/news/the-five-principles-of-social-justice-explained