Kristofer and the Perversion of Justice
The Perversion of Justice
CW: Discussion of Sexual Assault
As you can see in the photo below, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. You can find more info on what that means by visiting: https://www.nsvrc.org/saam
In today’s video, Kristofer reflects on the topic of sexual violence. We recognize that this is a painful and traumatic topic for so many people, as sexual assault and abuse are so prevalent in the world in which we live. These atrocities impact countless individuals, families, and whole communities. If this is something you would like to talk about confidentially with either of St. Francis’ clergy, we encourage you to reach out.
Kristofer’s words focus on the appointed text this week in Lent in the Book of Susanna, as he recounts a painful story of the threat of sexual violence, the terrible perversion of justice that followed, and the way in which the scales were not only tipped but turned over in Susanna’s favor. You can read the passage he references here or you can see the text in its entirety here.
You might find it unsettling to discover a story of sexual violence is in Scripture. This isn’t the only one. We don’t often, if ever, hear these stories in the context of Sunday worship. The Bible is a record of God’s people wrestling with justice and mercy in all things. There is no human experience where God isn’t and there is no pain or anguish unknown to God. God continuously seeks healing and wholeness for all people in every time and place and circumstance - even when the stories in Scripture seem incomplete or even disturbing.
If you or someone you know is the victim of sexual violence, you are not alone. We are here for you and there are many support resources available like GBMC’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examination & Domestic Violence Program.
Again, please reach out to Kristofer (revklp@stfrancismd.org) or Amy (revamy@stfrancismd.org), if you would like to discuss this further in a safe and confidential environment.
