01-25-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
January 25, 2025
I am not a fan of jury duty, though I feel bad in saying that out loud (or in this case, writing it). For me, it has to do with the drive, which seems strange as I drive down to the medical center early in the morning a lot more often than I do for jury duty. I am also a bit of a control freak, and there is the waiting, followed by announcements as if we are waiting to win the lottery, and then more waiting. Will I get called or not? Will I sit here for hours only to be told that they are waiting on one more case to see if it is settled out of court? I reread what I just wrote, and it sure feels as if I am whining, which I am. 

Do you ever find yourself lamenting what, if you were to be completely honest with yourself, falls under the category of rather insignificant in the grand scheme of things? We do not like our schedules to be interrupted. Yet how many people are coming into court waiting for justice after their lives were interrupted by some significant happening? There are others who have been accused of something and they are desperately wanting to prove their innocence. The Prophet Isaiah says, “The Lord is a God of justice; happy are all who wait for him” (30:18). There are those who are waiting for justice in their own lives, and others of us who are waiting to participate in God’s ongoing work to bring justice in our world… work that often takes time.

I appreciate the trust you put in us, O God of the Prophets and Sages, as we walk alongside you in the important, but often slow, work of seeing justice roll down like waters (Amos 5:24). Amen.