Pardon Me

Recently, Glenn Beck made the news (http://abcnews.go.com/WN/glenn-beck-social-justice-christians-rage-back-nazism/story?id=10085008) by telling listeners to quit churches that have "social justice" or "economic justice" as part of their agenda. Beck equated these terms with Nazism and Communism. I do understand that Mr. Beck is more concerned with advertising dollars than the truth, all entertainers are. Ill-informed, inflammatory words sell ad space. But I think he misses the mission of the Gospel people by a mile.
God routinely tells his people to seek out and change the reality for the poor and oppressed. Our Baptismal Vows state the same thing. We are to work to make society more just. We are to relieve the plight of the poor and motherless. We are to seek out those in pain. The privatized, "me and Jesus in a love fest" gospel to the expense of service is a non starter. We are here to make the world more just and not simply more gentle.
Ponder the words of Mary as she learns that she will be an intimate part of the Gospel by being the Mother of God.
 ⁴⁶And Mary said:
   "My soul glorifies the Lord
    ⁴⁷and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
 ⁴⁸for he has been mindful
      of the humble state of his servant.
   From now on all generations will call me blessed,
    ⁴⁹for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
      holy is his name.
 ⁵⁰His mercy extends to those who fear him,
      from generation to generation.
 ⁵¹He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
      he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
 ⁵²He has brought down rulers from their thrones
      but has lifted up the humble.
 ⁵³He has filled the hungry with good things
      but has sent the rich away empty.
 ⁵⁴He has helped his servant Israel,
      remembering to be merciful
 ⁵⁵to Abraham and his descendants forever,
      even as he said to our fathers."  Luke 1:46-55 (NIV)
Are you on the side of the poor and oppressed?