Social Justice and Social Inclusion....

Matthew 18: 15-35

21 Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ ²²Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

Have you ever wondered what would make a new community and society work?  I’m sure if we asked for suggestions we would get a plethora of responses: economic prosperity, jobs, military security, a welfare state, human rights, a written constitution, a sound currency and so on and on we would go…. Jesus of the Nazareth sermon inaugurated a new community, a Kingdom and for three years He taught through His words and practices what that new community is like. It is a diverse community made up of people from all walks of life. It has a law that is shared by all (Matthew 5-7) and it is a society that meets the holistic needs of its people in an ethical way where peacemaking, care and compassion promote social cohesion and wellbeing. There is one other characteristic and practice that all of this depends on; forgiveness. Without forgiveness, there can be no reconciliation, no new start, no new community and no life transforming Kingdom. Forgiveness is not just an individual act it’s a mechanism for social cohesion and building of a joint future based on peace and mutual respect. Forgiveness is a social construct as well as an individual one. Lack of individual forgiveness undermines social wellbeing. There are people who put themselves outside the mainstream of society; their situation requires the most serious of consideration, monitoring and where possible reconciliation and restoration must come quickly. But perhaps it is worth considering that we all exclude too readily?  An inclusive society has to explore ways to live alongside those it finds difficult and challenging or it will descend into a culture where incarceration and exclusion replaces inclusion. Incarceration and exclusion is more complex and diverse than a physical prison for law breakers; incarceration includes the incarceration and exclusion of: poverty, homelessness, joblessness, fuel poverty, addiction, misogyny, homophobia and so the list goes on and on. Here the victims are the ones incarcerated and justice is denied to those the law claims to protect.   Forgiveness and reconciliation is a process of inclusion, of hearing competing voices and seeking out restorative socially just processes; it is not a one off act. It is so powerful because it acknowledges the offence and exploitation but sets the victim free to get on with their life while the perpetrator is given the opportunity and invitation to participate in making amends through promoting the wellbeing of the victim and the wider community. The justice system of any new community will have to radically rethink how it dispenses justice if any transformation is to be realised. As for disciples of Jesus of the Nazareth sermon the approach and practice is clear; forgiveness and restorative reconciliation is the bases of the new community of social inclusion. Our community participates in the Celebrate Recovery Programme as a vehicle for exploring and implementing these challenging changes to how we can live together. You will be made welcome should you choose to explore forgiveness as the road to reconciliation and justice further. Tuesday 7pm The Fountain Lesmahagow and  The Coffee Cup, Stonehouse, 7pm Thursdays.