In our Western culture, we often associate the word justice with some radical activism that includes public demonstrations and bold social media rants. It also appears to be an all-in or all-out type of lifestyle—either you are a social justice warrior, or you feel like you aren't doing enough. However, justice is actually a virtue that all Christians are called to cultivate. 

Micah 6:8 says “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” 

But what is justice, really? 

The CCC defines it as a moral virtue which disposes people to respect the human rights of others and to be committed to ensuring that all people are treated with equity and fairness. (#1807) 

Although we can sometimes separate social justice and evangelization into two separate categories, they are actually very closely linked to each other. Often, evangelization begins with us entering into the struggles of others. Letting them know that we care that their human rights are tended to. 

When people know that we are willing to work and even sacrifice in order to ensure that they are treated with equity and fairness, it will open doors to sharing the Gospel. Jesus was never one to miss an opportunity to speak and act out against injustice in his society. There are many moments where Jesus reached out to those on the cultural margins in order to right a wrong, teaching his disciples to be unafraid to fight for justice. 

Now, as modern day disciples called to be a people of justice, where do we start? 

God has given each of us special gifts and interests that can point us to where we are called to serve. A big part of being a service-oriented evangelizer is being in tune with how God is leading you to your individual mission field. 

Maybe you have always had a soft place in your heart for the homeless, or have a special desire to advocate for the unborn. Follow these inclinations. You don’t have to be involved in every cause —in fact, you can’t be. God will show you where He wants you. 

If you are thinking to yourself—I think these are all important but I just don’t feel all overly drawn to social justice issues in general— ask God to show you where there is a place of great need in your sphere of influence. Although serving can be a fulfilling experience, ultimately it is not about us and our feelings of accomplishment. Service requires sacrifice. 

It is important to note that justice can be practiced through prayer, almsgiving and action. All three of these are essential to the mission of tending to situations of injustice. 

You can always start with one, and gradually build up to all three. For example, if you want to work so that those in your area have access to food, start by praying for people who are hungry and for the organizations who serve them. Next, you can perhaps start to donate to one of the organizations who provide food. Finally, if you are able, consider volunteering once a month at a food bank or soup kitchen. 

Sometimes we are tempted to keep hard situations at an arm's length. It may be easier or cleaner to simply commit to praying rather than actually going out into places where justice is needed. However, as evangelizers, we are called to go out into the depths of human experience. 

In his encyclical Evangelii Gaudium (2013), Pope Francis addresses this idea. 

“Sometimes we are tempted to be that kind of Christian who keeps the Lord’s wounds at arm’s length. Yet Jesus wants us to touch human misery.. He hopes that we will stop looking for those personal or communal niches which shelter us from the maelstrom of human misfortune and instead enter into the reality of other people’s lives and know the power of tenderness.” (Paragraph 270) 

As disciples who desire to follow God, each of us must carefully discern what and where we are called to serve. Our fears should not keep us from entering into the mission field for justice. Let us all renew our commitment to following Christ and serving his people, even if it is uncomfortable at times.