How often have I said the words, “not my problem.” How often have I heard the words, “not my problem.” The words pour out of our mouths like syrup going on a pancake.
Yet, every now and then injustice occurs and we realize “it is our problem.” It may not be our problem today, or tomorrow, but we know if we don’t face up to it, what was once not our problem, becomes our problem.
Great men like Winston Churchill or MLK see something as a problem before the rest of us do, but sometimes the person to confront injustice is not a dynamic leader, simply someone who stares injustice in the face, and realizes it is his or her problem such as Rosa Parks.
How we confront injustice depends on its nature and our abilities. Sinclair Lewis and Dorothy Day used the power of words, MLK and Gandhi used the power of civil disobedience, and yes as a last resort great leaders like Churchill come to the conclusion that the nature of injustice can only be eradicated with direct confrontation.
God plants a seed in the soul of each of us that helps us recognize injustice, and it guides in knowing the proper response to injustice’s presence, but it is up to each of us nurture that seed and allow it to grow.
This Lent spend a little time nurturing your soul. The rest of us are counting on you. W.
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