“That’s not fair!” is the cry of children when they see injustice. The sense of fairness is most likely our first concept of injustice as children, for our adult responses to injustice have deep roots in our childhood. Some of us tackle injustices, both small and large, directly; others find subtle quiet ways. But what really counts is that we confront injustice one way or another.
This week, Julia Whitworth, the Episcopal Bishop of Massachusetts, and 500 supporters showed up for the ICE check-in for Blanca Martinez, a Honduran whose asylum application and appeals were denied. Ms. Martinez still faces many hurdles, but the community where she has organized service projects was there. She was granted a stay of removal for another year.
In spite of the fact that masked agents videoed their vigil and took down license plate numbers, a coalition of religious sisters stood in the blazing heat at Eloy Detention Center in Arizona protesting the conditions there. Pax Christi is leading prayer vigils at Delaney Hall in Newark. The more cynical ask what use are these prayer vigils against a government that has few scruples, but we should remember that in the end, witness against injustice defeated pagan Roman power.
Prayer for the Day
So many kinds of injustices seem to overtake our lives,
And, you know, O God, we need more than small victories;
We come to you asking for guidance and direction
Because often we don’t know where to start.
Give us the strength to confront the injustices we see,
So that our witness will, in the end, create justice.
In the name of the One who confronted power,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
As a religious leader, I don’t serve political powers, the principalities of this age. I serve Jesus of Nazareth, who came as a stranger, was oppressed by a state system, and taught us and told us to welcome the stranger and to stand with all who suffer.
Rev. Julie Whitworth, Episcopal Bishop, Diocese of Massachusetts
I want to raise my voice for each of the people who are living with the same situation that I am facing — who don’t have a voice because they don’t have a lawyer or someone to represent them.
Blanca Martinez, following her ICE check-in 9/16/2025
If a resident alien lives with you in your land, you are not to mistreat him. 34 You are to treat the resident alien the same way you treat the native born among you—love him like yourself, since you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
Leviticus 19: 33-34