A Lenten Devotional (Ash Wednesday) From Asti M. White By Way Of The Methodist Federation For Social Action

This comes from the latest edition of the Methodist Federation for Social Action newsletter and is by Asti Nicholas White. a second year Master of Divinity Student at Candler School of Theology with a concentration in Chaplaincy. Currently serving as president of Candler’s Black Student Caucus, Asti has shared interest in exploring the intersections of pastoral care and social justice, (environmental justice/ anti-racism) with non-profits and churches by seeking out healthy and sustainable measures for relationship building around the world. Asti engages in research and advocates for marginalized communities that have been systematically oppressed and do not receive the resources needed for health and vitality.

The MFSA newsletter carries additional Lenten devotionals as well. I highly recommend MFSA.

2022 Lenten Devotional - Ash Wednesday

By Asti N. White

Psalm 82 [NRSV]

A Plea for Justice. A Psalm of Asaph.

1 God has taken his place in the divine council;

in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:

2 “How long will you judge unjustly

and show partiality to the wicked?Selah

3 Give justice to the weak and the orphan;

maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.

4 Rescue the weak and the needy;

deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding,

they walk around in darkness;

all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6 I say, “You are gods,

children of the Most High, all of you;

7 nevertheless, you shall die like mortals,

and fall like any prince.”[a]

8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth;

for all the nations belong to you!

By internal design, our hearts, minds, body, and strength are all designed to be in relationship with one another, to share a connection of love and justice, and to not do the work alone. One of my favorite Psalms shows a God of Justice and illustrates the importance to share compassion for all of our neighbors. As the world continues to find the ease in divisiveness, the comfort to separate self from community, and the persistence in perpetuating systems of injustice, we are called to an important responsibility to remain faithful to the community. Though the current context of our world and to separate ourselves from our neighbor, we must live into our unique design. We have been created for community and for connection.

Psalm 82 exemplifies both implicit and explicit theological questions about the role and composition of justice. Questions arise from the text regarding justice and judgement which permeates the billowing questions of how judgement and justice are interpreted and comprehended by way of defining God as a judge. The text proceeds by God calling and challenging others to serve the marginalized. Psalm 82 provides an illumination of God’s presence of judgement, through showing the importance of justice, and discerning the prioritization of justice to the lowly.

Within the interaction of the divine council, God’s omniscient power infiltrates throughout Psalm 82 by addressing and identifying the nature and power of God/Elohim. Psalm 82 discloses the interconnectedness of God, the divine council, and the rest of humanity. This call to action manifests the breadth of humanity and the divine. Psalm 82 essentializes the necessity to love and care for one another, specifically advocating and serving the oppressed. The journey of Psalm 82 divulges the paths of God’s love by establishing a precedent for the higher-ranking to rescue the weak and needy.

A demand for intentional care to individuals who do not have knowledge or access shows God’s willingness to call out those in power and the need for God’s divine power in “rise up O God” (Ps. 82:8). The scripture continues to present the ultimate sovereignty and grace of God when both the ancient community and gods of the divine council provide insufficient care of humanity. The message and urgent demand for extending care in Psalm 82 reveals why this passage has been passed down for the church. As Israel journeyed through exile and political distress, this psalm reiterates the past and emphasizes the present importance for bringing judgment against individuals actively restricting justice.

Psalm 82 shows a practical and foundational ortho-praxis of care towards the marginalized. God as judge, demands a healthy and sustained life for those who are oppressed. The modern church and community engaging with this scripture can find strength within the clear and direct communication of justice. Additionally, the psalm calls the church to actionable love and grace, while living in a constant practice of uplifting justice for all. Witnessing God as judge, and the judgement carried out by God, can be a testament and important suggestion to the church for critical discernment towards justice.

The Psalm teaches discerning practices and actions of care, or the lack thereof, seen in both the ancient community and present-day communities. God’s judgement in Psalm 82 shows how to live, emboldened with actionable steps to justice and care, upholding those on the margins. The very presence of God and God’s teaching of care and judgement builds out a depth of relationship shared with one another and with God. Psalm 82 helps in providing a necessary challenge to those in power to dismantle and re-construct society that reflects justice and equity.

In this season of Lent, I pray that we can reflect on this convicting passage. “How long” will we “show partiality,” treat others differently, act holier than thou? Psalm 82 is supposed to make us humans feel uncomfortable. We are all called to a place of unrest, to live in the darkness with our neighbors whom we all have kicked to the lowly, who we have not given justice to, and whom we have not rescued when they have cried out. May we go forth this Lenten season, removing the focus from ourselves, and seeking justice. I ask you this, siblings in God, how long are we going to let this keep going? How long?