5^th Sunday after Pentecost:

Grace and peace…

(Romans 1:7)

“No justice no peace,” protesters chant. It seems the closer we get to “justice for all,” the further away we find ourselves. It’s discouraging. “Justice for all” is a noble ideal that always lies somewhere beyond our reach. How can our government; or, any government, make all the wrongs right? Will we ever arrive at that place of justice where peace prevails and violence subsides?

The Gospel announces God’s decision to justify us (make our wrongs right) and grant us peace. That’s why it’s called “the Gospel of peace” (Eph 6:15). That’s why the Epistles always address us with “Grace and peace” (Ro 1:7). It takes unfathomable grace to get us to peace: “Making peace through his blood of the cross” (Col 1:20). No Cross, no peace.

So, we pray, as our Lord teaches us, that what is true in heaven, might be true here on earth. Jesus also teaches us to bring something to our earthy government: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's” (Mk 12:17 = Ro 13). One of the things we can render to our current national struggle is a spirit of graciousness—our graciousness, the church’s graciousness. May those of us who live under the shadow of the Cross, graciously listen to those who call for justice and peace.