This Sunday, we observe Peace with Justice Sunday—a day in the United Methodist Church when we pause to remember that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice. And justice is love lived in society.
We live in a world where peace can sometimes feel like a distant dream. Injustice—whether it takes the form of poverty, racism, exploitation, or violence—robs too many people of the wholeness God desires for all. And so, as followers of Christ, we are called not to settle for a shallow peace that glosses over pain, but to labor for a deeper peace that grows out of justice.
God’s justice is not punitive, but restorative. It lifts up the lowly, brings down the mighty from their thrones, and fills the hungry with good things. It sees the humanity in the stranger, the sacred worth of every soul. And it demands something of us—not just our thoughts and prayers, but our voices, our courage, and our willingness to stand where it may be uncomfortable.
Peace with Justice Sunday is a reminder that faith is not only personal—it is public. Our love for God is expressed in how we treat our neighbors, especially the most vulnerable. This is why the United Methodist Church uses this Sunday to support ministries that confront injustice: from confronting unjust incarceration to promoting fair wages, from racial reconciliation to advocacy for the oppressed. Fifty percent of the funds raised on Peace with Justice Sunday stay within the United Methodist Annual Conference to enhance and support local social justice ministries. The other half of the donations collected support national and international peacemaking ministries and grants. You can donate here or share your gift in the offering plate on Sunday.
Let us be brave enough to examine the systems around us, and faithful enough to imagine something better. -Eilidh
Leave a Reply