An ABC of Faith

Justice

Our media relentlessly screams for justice but in reality is this not more a code word for revenge for something done to us or someone close to us. Justice, masquerading as revenge is a far cry from the Prophet Micah’s words, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Biblical references to the word “justice” mean “to make right.” Justice is, first and foremost, a relational term — people living in right relationship with God, one another, and the natural creation. From a scriptural point of view, justice means loving our neighbour as we love ourselves and is rooted in the character and nature of God. As God is just and loving, so we are called to do justice and live in love.

As a matter of fact, the Scriptures most often conceive God's justice, or righteousness, as the action of His mercy. Just as with human justice means the relief of the oppressed and needy, so God's justice is His kingly power engaged on behalf of humankind, and justice and mercy are constantly joined together. He is "a just God and a Saviour" (Isaiah 45:21).

At a funeral Mass for a friend of Archbishop Romero who was murdered by the government because of her faith in Christ, Romero invited those present to follow this Lord who died, this God who sacrificed himself for others, this obscure Israelite teacher who, we confess, is the hope of the world.

Holding the communion wafer aloft, he said, “May this body that was immolated and this flesh that was sacrificed for humankind also nourish us so that we can give our bodies and our blood to suffering and pain, as Christ did, not for our own sake but to bring justice and peace to our people.”

Perhaps this is what it means to “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

God,

You are the source of human dignity,

and it is in your image that we are created.

Pour out on us the spirit of love and compassion.

Enable us to reverence each person,

to reach out to anyone in need,

to value and appreciate those who differ from us,

to share the resources of our nation,

to receive the gifts offered to us

by people from other cultures.

Grant that we may always promote

the justice and acceptance

that ensures lasting peace and racial harmony.

Help us to remember that we are one world and one family.

Amen.