March 4
Thus says YHWH Omnipotent: Administer true justice; show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widowed or the orphaned, the resident alien or the poor, and do not plot evil against one other. (Zechariah 7:9-10)
In the Murray-Darling Basin, the fate of the orphaned and vulnerable is mirrored in the declining health of the ecosystem. The widowed bird struggles to feed her young when her mate is lost. The orphaned joey faces a harsh world alone. The loss of habitat forces bird species to move to other areas becoming aliens in a new land.
Could Zechariah’s call to administer true justice and show kindness and mercy to one another extend beyond the human realm to encompass all of creation? When we oppress the vulnerable, we create ripples of imbalance that threaten the delicate web of life. By showing compassion and respect for all beings, both human and non-human, we contribute to the restoration of balance and the flourishing of entire ecosystems that we rely on. In this way, we honour the interconnectedness of all life and work towards a world of true justice and harmony.
Reflection:
- How can I extend my understanding of justice to include the vulnerable and oppressed members of the ecosystem, both human and non-human?
- What actions can I take to show kindness and mercy to those who are marginalised or overlooked in my community and in the natural world?
Prayer:
Compassionate Creator, open my eyes to see the interconnectedness of all life and the ways in which injustice affects the most vulnerable among us. Guide me in administering true justice and showing kindness and mercy to all beings, as I work towards a world where all can thrive in harmony.