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XXV SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
JUSTICE FOR THE MOST NEEDY
By our Pastor, Fr. Carmelo Jiménez
The readings for this Sunday invite us to reflect on three important points: justice as an experience of the Christian faith, the wisdom to read the signs of the times and the power of prayer in the face of every situation and in every moment.
Some years ago, while in my diocese, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, I was the director of communications which included all the branches of media that we had: radio, print, television and website. One of contributors of the Diocesan Newspaper published a note about the bad things that are seen during political campaigns: divisions, destruction, lies and threats. No different than the campaigns we see at present. But one of the candidates for governor didn’t like the note, and so he sued the newspaper. Wanting to mitigate the situation with him and his team, I had a meeting with him accompanied by a few lawyers. He asked that a public apology be printed in the newspaper, as well as recording it to broadcast via the radio and television, and they themselves would publish it. Which we did not accept and we had to go to court, where the judges ruled that there had not been any fault on the part of the newspaper and that the Diocese was just inviting people to live in justice and be responsible during the elections.
“Hear this, you who trample upon the needy and destroy the poor of the land!” (Am 8:4) In the first reading the prophet Amos gives a very important message in his time for the people of Israel, but it’s one that continues to be very current. I should stress the value that his message had regarding justice in labor, business and human relations, because they are the interpreters of the historic transformation of the people of Israel in light of the covenant God made with Israel on Sanai (thou shalt not steal). I repeat and affirm again what many of us already know: economic prosperity is not always ethical and moral prosperity. In the Sacred Scriptures we find God’s insistence against injustice toward the poor, the orphan and the widow. God always invites us to justice, to love, to help, especially the most needy who cannot return the favor.
“And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.” (Lk 16:8) The unfaithful steward acted cleverly, although unjustly, because he committed another abuse of his position. Jesus proposes to his disciples that they act the same way. Act in a wise and intelligent way in order to resolve the grave situation, but not in an unjust manner just to get out of the situation. Jesus insists that we need to be vigilant and attentive to God’s offer of salvation though his gestures and his words. We need to count on visible goods, but also have the wisdom to achieve the eternal goods as well. To know how to use earthly goods without any attachment in order to achieve the heavenly goods.
Saint Paul tells us: “First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life.” (1 Tm 2:1-2) I have heard so many comments on the candidates, good and bad comments, and if you ask me who to vote for, I’m going to say whoever your conscience dictates. I have heard many reflections that sound like they’re from the time of the Inquisition saying that if you vote for so and so you’re condemning yourself, which sounds to me like an injustice. Should we vote? Yes! But please, let’s not divide the community of faith. In prayer we can achieve what we want, and so, before God and in silence, may he enlighten us to make the right choice.
May justice be present in our way of acting with each and every person. May we be attentive to the signs of the times so we can wisely free ourselves of whatever leads to destruction and sin and commit ourselves instead to searching for salvation. May prayer be the source of wisdom in order to conquer the world and live as Christ wants. Amen.