By John S. Wight, senior president of seventy
While having lunch with a friend recently, our conversation turned to the Mission Initiative of
Invite People to Christ and its first point, baptize/confirm many new members. My friend suggested that perhaps witnessing and inviting that lead to the waters of baptism could be seen as peace and justice issues.
The suggestion intrigued me, and I’ve been mulling it over ever since. My conclusion: Of course, they can and should be seen in such light.
Jesus quoted Isaiah to explain that his mission was (and is) to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free.
There is little doubt he was thinking of those who literally were in such conditions. But it seems equally clear that Jesus’ mission is to all people. Thus, this reference can be understood metaphorically as well as literally.
We often feel moved to support ministries that provide food and clothing for those without. We look for ways to bring healing to those who suffer. Such actions are also part of the Mission Initiatives: Abolish Poverty, End Suffering.
Many have written letters, demonstrated publicly, and otherwise stood against oppressive and unjust behaviors of individuals, groups, and governments. Others have spoken boldly and acted against violence and war. Again, these efforts fit into the Mission Initiatives: Pursue Peace on Earth.
If we are moved to fight poverty, oppression, and blindness in these ways, should we not be equally moved to share through words, as well as deeds, the good news of Jesus Christ? Should we not intentionally invite others to enter into sacramental, covenant relationship with him through baptism and confirmation?
People of all walks of life and socio-economic conditions suffer from spiritual poverty, oppression, and blindness. We unhesitatingly would share a loaf of bread with a person suffering the pangs of physical hunger. What a blessing we can be to those suffering the pangs of spiritual “hunger” as we share the bread of life—the knowledge of God’s immeasurable love for each life and the inestimable Worth of All Persons.
Intentionally and purposefully witnessing and inviting people to Christ is not about filling our churches with people. It is about freeing people from guilt, self-doubt, and other oppressive and blinding emotions. It is a peace and justice issue because by doing so, we help
to bring good news to the poor…to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.—Luke 4:18–19 NRSV
By not doing so, we leave people to suffer.