“..and what does the Lord require but to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8a)
Take a Moment to Ponder
There are requirements for everything we do in every sphere of life. We have job requirements, requirements to do further studies, and requirements for becoming members of groups, Church included. It is important for us to know what the requirements are so we can ensure that we are up to the task and prepared to do what is required. When we know what is required of us, we will be more equipped to carry out the responsibilities that are before us. Knowing the requirements, therefore, become crucial to what we are being called to do. There are requirements in God’s call on our lives, and we must be prepared to embrace those requirements.
Our requirements as people called by God, may be located in the Marks of Mission. That is where we look to know what it is we ought to be doing as people called to be the Church and Body of Christ. Those requirements are rooted in what God called God’s people to, many years before. The problem and the question we must ask is, have we been faithful to those requirements? Have we lived up to what God has called us into doing? Prophets have come and have reminded the people, and the Church continues to encourage and remind its members to embrace what is required by God. Our requirement is to be faithful to God and do right by people.
Micah reminded the people what was required, and we are constantly reminded today of the same requirement to do justice. Too often there is the cry for justice and the Church does not seem to be doing enough to ensure that justice is present. We are also expected to love mercy or kindness. We are an unkind people, and we need to change that if we are to be faithful to the mission and to the God who has called us. We are expected to walk humbly before God. Humility is a necessary requirement for living the Jesus Shaped Life. These are the things we must embrace. Let us heed the words of the prophet Micah, as we embrace what the Lord requires of us.
Practical Action
Let us seriously reflect on the Marks of Mission and do what we can to practically live out what is required. Let us work to achieve justice and humility, as we show mercy and kindness towards others.
A Moment in Prayer
Almighty God, who has created humankind in your own image: Grant us grace to fearlessly contend against evil, and to make no peace with oppression and injustice; that we may reverently use our freedom and to employ it in the maintenance of justice among all people and nations, to the glory of your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Contributed by:
Very Rev. Fr. Richard A. Tucker
