Wisdom from Cesar Chavez: 'The Oppressed Almost Always Overestimate the Oppressor' | Sojourners

Wisdom from Cesar Chavez: 'The Oppressed Almost Always Overestimate the Oppressor'

Today's Lenten prayer comes from Cesar Chavez (1927-1993) -- Mexican American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist. He did much to raise awareness of the need for justice for those at the margins. After reading this prayer this morning in The Mosaic Bible, I read the psalms for the day, including Psalm 99, which talks about God in these words:

Mighty King, lover of justice,
You have established fairness.
You have acted with justice
and righteousness throughout Israel
Exalt the Lord our God!
Bow low before [God's] feet, for [God] is holy! (Psalm 99:4,5)

This was a great place to start my personal reflections on justice this morning. Here are a couple of powerful quotes from Cesar Chavez's writings that highlight this concern. I suggest that you read through these several times reflecting on your own commitment to justice, then read the prayer at the end aloud.

"We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community