0.1 Sj1

Chapter 1

The news of social justice

Today’s news reflects a society that is hurting. It is hurting from the murders, wars; hate crimes that exist within the framework of all our communities. We can simply watch the news on television or pick up the daily newspaper and be reminded of this hurting. Yet within the framework of our faith, especially the esoteric churches, we have forgotten God’s message of social justice. Social justice should be the focal point within any community of believers, as our whole belief structure is held together by the totality of God’s social justice.

Social Justice: mostly refers to an ideal of society, where“justice”refers to economic status rather than to the administration of laws. It is based on the idea of a society which gives individuals and groups fair treatment and just share of the benefits of society, although what is“fair treatment”and a just share of the benefits of society, although what is“fair treatment”and a“just share”must remain unclear or subject to interpretation.

Social justice is both a philosophical problem and an important issue in politics. It can be argued that everyone wishes to, live in a just society, but different political ideologies have different conceptions of what a“just society”actually is. The term“social justice”itself tends to be used by those ideologies that believe that present day society is a highly unjust–and these are usually left-wing ideologies, advocating a more extensive use of democracy and income redistribution, a more egalitarian society. The right-wing has its own conception of social justice, but generally believes that it is best achieved through the operation of a free market, and the promotion of philanthropy and charity. Both right and left tend to agree on the importance of rule of law, human rights, and some form of a welfare safety net (though the left supports this to a greater extent than the right). (1)

The Esoteric churches should look at the history of how God has operated and how Jesus’ministry exuded an esoteric extension of this divine plan of God. When I speak of esoteric I am referring to the“hidden”or“secret mysteries”Jesus gave his disciples. Which through oral tradition the church has preserved. After all the mysteries of Christ is an ever-developing process as we reach to grow in our belief/faith. To simply move towards our own spiritual development without the presence of social justice as our extension to the present community; God’s message of love can’t flow through us to those in need of it. That is why those of us called to be esoteric should look at the hidden meanings, presented by God and Jesus, through the Word of God as to how social justice is the message of God’s love to the masses. Matthew 7:15-20 speaks of how -Jesus says his followers will be known by their fruits.“16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”I ask myself, are my outward actions towards others reflecting the fruits that I am gracefully given by God?