We believe in a God in whom “justice and mercy meet.” Our God cares about the plight of the downtrodden (mercy), but also does something about their condition (justice), giving food to the hungry and sight to the blind, setting captives free, protecting strangers, and sustaining the fatherless and the widow.

The prophet Isaiah foretells the coming of salvation that will involve opening the eyes of the blind, clearing the ears of the deaf, and even brightening up the environment. Mark presents Jesus as the kind of savior prophesied by Isaiah, one who “makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Those of us who have a calling from the God of Jacob to be followers of Jesus must combine concern for the downtrodden (mercy) with action on their behalf (justice). We must reject the religion of favoritism for the rich, and imitate God who “chose those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and secures justice for the oppressed.” We must combine preaching the Good News of the Kingdom with healing the sick. This is the way to offer “true worship” to the “God of peace and love.”