Pastor Julianne D. Smith
Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational Vitality
Director for Evangelical Mission
Northeastern Ohio Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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We have reached our final baptismal promise: To strive for justice and peace in all the earth. As I mentioned last time, we may not be able to change the whole world, but we can start in our own little corner. By ourselves we cannot create world peace, but if each Christian did a little towards justice and peace, we will see a difference.
When I think about striving for justice and peace, the first image that often pops in my head is a scene of a protest: a mass of people with signs, and shouting. We have seen many of these turn into violence that ends up with destruction. Where is the justice in that? Where is the peace?
Even more, what is justice and what is peace? The Scriptural words from Hebrew and Greek that are translated into ‘justice’ are linked to righteousness. There is a sense of what is right and true and honest. Justice can also refer to God’s mercy and grace. As Christians we know that God’s grace saves us from receiving the punishment we deserve.
Many of us know the word “Shalom” is Hebrew for peace, and we also know that peace is more than an absence of warfare. Biblical peace can refer to completeness and wholeness. Wishing someone peace can mean wishing someone a right relationship with others, and with God. When we share the peace in worship we are not just greeting one another, we are wishing them the holy peace of God.
The Bible frequently links these two concepts together. You cannot have justice without peace, and vice-versa. Our baptismal promise to strive for justice and peace in all the earth is a call to strive for right relationships between people and with God so that we can live life according to God’s purpose in all its fullness.
The ELCA practices this baptismal promise through our Advocacy office: “ELCA advocacy works for change in public policy based on the experience of Lutheran ministries, programs and projects around the world and in communities across the United States. We work through political channels on behalf of the following biblical values: peacemaking, hospitality to strangers, care for creation, and concern for people living in poverty and struggling with hunger and disease.” More information and opportunities to be involved can be found at https://www.elca.org/advocacy
In the Lutheran tradition, our baptismal promises can help us practice our faith in our daily lives. They can remind us of how we can respond to the love of God through Jesus Christ so that all may know God’s Grace. We are Claimed in Baptism, Named Children of God, and Aimed into the world.
Thanks be to God!
Random Thoughts from a Random Mind 