‘They have made themselves a calf of molten gold and have worshipped it and offered it sacrifice.’
(see Exodus 32:7-14)
In an article published on The Guardian website (31 December 2022), addressing the Cost of Living, Rowan Williams writes: “The cost of living crisis is in fact an example of costs being transferred from the powerful to the powerless – from ambitious speculators, market fundamentalists (in and out of government), naked profiteers and, in the past horrendous 10 months of war in Ukraine, foreign dictators, to a population pushed with increasing aggressiveness into debt, housing, food and energy poverty, and insecure working conditions.”
It is so easy for human beings to be treated as commodities, and where profit is more important than people, when riches are more relevant than lives. Rowan Williams continues, “It is a sign that we have once again forgotten the “covenantal” character of community. It was repeated often enough during the pandemic that no one is safe unless everyone is safe: have we really not noticed that this applies to our economic as much as to our medical wellbeing?”
Through Moses, God entered into a covenant with his people which they quickly forgot, as they turned to a calf of molten gold. For Christians, Jesus established a new covenant for all, created through his death. To recognise the dignity and importance of community is important in caring for all, and ensuring that those who are poor and powerless do not pay the price for the challenges and difficulties we face.
PRAY FOR strong and resourceful communities, and for a fair distribution of wealth.
Our daily reflections for Lent focus on the many injustices which exist in our world, as we seek to connect our life of prayer to social justice, the Justice of God which Christ proclaimed. More resources are available at www.southcardiffministryarea.co.uk/just-lent
South Cardiff Ministry Area 