Social Shalom
Justice and shalom are closely linked. Shalom is translated peace. Our translation of peace is too weak. Physical shalom is good health. Social shalom is an interwoveness among various social segments of society for the common good. Doing justice is repairing the fabric of society where it is falling apart.
Shalom is the human being dwelling at peace in all his or her relationships: with God, with self, with fellows, with nature. . . But the peace which is shalom is not merely the absence of hostility, not merely being in the right relationship. Shalom at its highest is enjoyment in one’s relationships. A nation may be at peace with all its neighbors and yet be miserable in its poverty. To dwell in shalom is to enjoy living before God, to enjoy living in one’s physical surroundings, to enjoy living with one’s fellows, to enjoy life with oneself (Wolterstorff).
We must add the ideas of justice harmony, and enjoyment to capture the full biblical meaning of the word. Shalom means just relationship (living justly and experiencing justice), harmonious relationships and enjoyable relationships. Shalom means belonging to an authentic and nurturing community in which one can be one’s true self and give one’s self away without becoming poor. Justice, harmony, and the enjoyment of God, self, others, and nature; this is the shalom that Jesus brings, the peace that passes all understanding (Wolterstorff).
Philippians 4:7: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Shalom…nothing missing, nothing broken.
A comment comes to mind ….”You can give without loveing—but you can not love without giving”……….
Sometimes the gift most needed is not material—it is the gift of yourself. Jesus gave the gift of Himself to others—the gift of relationship and letting those He loves know Him and have time with Him. There are times in relationship when that means infinitely more than any gift you can buy. The gift of relationship and time is priceless.