Sunday, October 28, 2018 - "Justice in Music"
The series on justice wraps up by putting passages of scripture alongside music from The Greatest Showman. The music displays a tenacity of how hard justice is to do even when it is something that we long to have for ourselves and for others. What is the story of justice we want our lives to tell?
Scriptures
Psalm 33:5
Deuteronomy 10:18-19
Isaiah 61:8-11
Zechariah 7:9
Matthew 22:37-40
Luke 11:41-42
Ephesians 4:23-24; 5:8-9
Hymns and other Music
The Greatest Showman Medley
Come! Live in the Light!
Never Enough
A Million Dreams
Walking a Tightrope
Wonder
Further Study
Exodus 23:5-7 – When you see a donkey that belongs to someone who hates you and it’s lying down under its load and you are inclined not to help set it free, you must help set it free. Don’t undermine justice that your poor deserve in their lawsuits. Stay away from making a false charge. Don’t put an innocent person who is in the right to death, because I will not consider innocent those who do such evil.
Psalm 146:7-9Who gives justice to people who are oppressed, who gives bread to people who are starving! The Lord: who frees prisoners. The Lord: who makes the blind see. The Lord: who straightens up those who are bent low. The Lord: who loves the righteous. The Lord: who protects immigrants, who helps orphans and widows, but who makes the way of the wicked twist and turn!
Zechariah 7:9– The Lord of heavenly forces proclaims: Make just and faithful decisions; show kindness and compassion to each other!
Quote
“The arc of history is long but bends towards justice.”– 1940 New Year’s message: Rabbi Jacob Kohn in Los Angeles. A version originated in 1853 by Unitarian Universalist Pastor – Theodore Parker. Another version was said by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1958 (article) and 1964 (speech).
Glossary of Terms
-Rightouesness (dikaiosyne) – ethical standard – right relationship, gift, requirement, duty
-Judgment/Justice (kima/krisis) – retributive justice, restorative justice – advocating/taking steps to seek out the vulnerable
-Righteous/Justified Ones(dikaios/dikaioi)
-To justify – to set right
Music Playlist
Stand by Sly and the Family Stone (1969 )
Get Up, Stand Upby Bob Marley (1973)
Redemption Songby Bob Marley (1980)
Girl in the Warby Josh Ritter (2006)
Further Conversations with Others
(This is a challenge to engage others in conversation over the next week. Here are a couple of questions to help discuss with others)
Why is it difficult to discuss justice with each other?
What are acts of justice you hope to participate in doing for yourself and for others?