"If we don't cry, we shouldn't sing. The connection between lament and justice is an oft-neglected relationship. Engagement in justice and our worship and knowledge of God are inextricable."
Ken Wytsma, Pursuing Justice
Today, as we celebrated Palm Sunday, I experienced the relationship between worship and justice as I participated in both praise and protest throughout the day with our church at Cranbourne Salvation Army.
During our worship service we sung songs of praise to honour Jesus who rode into Jerusalem declaring the majesty of God. Our worship together was full of joy as we sung with the congregation, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna in the highest!"
After our worship service we marched in solidarity with refugees through the streets of Melbourne calling for the justice of God. Our walk together was full of lament as we shouted with the crowd, "Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here!"
The words we sung this morning - "may injustice bow to Jesus, as the people turn to pray" - took on flesh as we marched this afternoon. If our worship is truly about magnifying the worthiness of the Creator then surely that includes advocating for the worthiness of His creation. Worship and justice are indeed inseparable!
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