And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness (mercy), and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 (NRSV)
St. Francis was not unfamiliar with injustice. Although imprisoned early in life and later caught in the throws of church politics, he chose to walk humbly, show mercy and act justly. Unlike St. Francis, many of us find it difficult to choose another path.
Current news outlets are routinely filled with stories of outbursts from people who have been tragically wounded by violence. The most common phrase that I hear after an event is, “We want JUSTICE.” The tone of the voices suggests, “We want REVENGE!” It is revenge to the point of even demanding the life of another person in an attempt to get rid of their anger – anger masking deep loss. The issue is that true justice has little to do with revenge.
Much of our judicial system is based upon kneejerk, historic concepts that require a person to receive in-kind what they had done. Hence, the prevalent revenge concept of requiring an “eye for (an) eye, or “a tooth for (a) tooth” (Exodus 21:24). Punishing another person in the same manner as he or she inflicted harm to another person is a form of Retributive Justice. Jailing a person is another form of retributive justice. Retributive justice avoids what it means to be human.
Think of two children playing where one takes a toy away from another. The child who has been “robbed” of the toy then hits the other child who has taken the toy. This is retribution. The hit does little to get the toy back. It only sends a brief message and risks a loss of relationship
The problem with retributive justice is that it seldom has the desired effect on the rest of society, let alone those seeking it. Judicial laws that send people to prison for decades does little to stop further crime as a deterrence. Most crimes are committed in moments of thoughtless and blistering passion and emotion.
In the last few decades, an attempt has been made to expand the concept of justice. The concept of Restorative Justice is now taking hold where relationships are seen as fundamental to changing the world. There is an emphasis on restoring relationships between a victim (and/or their family) and the perpetrator of a wrongdoing.
Think again of the two children. There is an atmosphere of restorative justice when the other child returns the toy to the crying child and says, “I’m sorry, let’s play together.” Restorative justice looks and feels different than retributive justice.
The real question is why would the child who took the toy genuinely want to give it back? Pressure from the parents? Forced contrition? Or, something else?
The answer is in not in either retributive or restorative justice, but in Salvific Justice – justice that only a saving God can give to make situations right. God makes situations right when you and I can see the other person as a magnificent creation of God’s love. When we use other people as objects, there can be no justice, anywhere. If you and I can depersonalize others in the name of “it’s just business,” there is no way to enter into the personal relationship that God offers. We end up alone, angry and acting unjustly.
Only God can create justice. Justice comes to us when our sole focus is on God. No judicial system can create people who are just. There will be no change in the world until people can see the goodness of God in every person, no matter how that person acts or behaves. Such an appreciation opens the door for a right relationship with God and God’s creation of justice.
Blessings and Prayers,
Fr. John
