Save us from weak resignation
to the evils we deplore.
Taking a quiet coffee break one morning recently, I found myself watching the sentencing of David Smith for spying for the Russians, on the news channel. (Judge delivers sentence in David Smith embassy spy case - BBC News). It was just a bloke in a wig and gown reading straight to camera and my first instinct was to switch over, but something in the careful logic of his address caught my attention, and I listened, fascinated, to the end.
The stated purposes of his sentence were punishment and deterrence, with no mention of restitution, or rehabilitation. After all, the judge said, Smith had betrayed his country, jeopardized national security; and seriously endangered the lives of others.
In calculating the length of sentence, the judge considered mitigating factors, including remorse – except that, despite many opportunities, Smith had only expressed regret at the effect that his actions had had on him and his family, never remorse for the wrong he had done, or its impact on those he had betrayed or endangered.
International espionage is a complex matter, and I was as troubled by some of the pronouncements of the judge, as much as what I learned of the crime. But the issues of justice laid out in the sentencing, the consideration of the purpose and proportionality of the judicial response, gave me pause for thought.
During Lent, we have the opportunity to reflect on our relationship with God, who offers us not the sentence we deserve, but the chance to repent, to receive the salvation won for us in Jesus, and live new lives. Hallelujah! But what if that becomes self-serving, as if my relationship with God is all that matters. What about the effect of our actions on others, on the people we betray or endanger, and on the wider world?
I quoted at the beginning of this reflection lines from the hymn, ‘God of grace and God of glory’ by Harry Emerson Fosdick, founder of the Riverside Church in New York. In his sermon at the opening of the ‘wonderful’ new church, he commented:
‘My friends, it is not settled yet whether or not the new church will be wonderful. That depends on what we do with it. If we should gather a selfish company there . . .a religious club, greatly enjoying themselves, though we trebled our membership the first year; that would not be wonderful.
‘If, wherever soldiers of the common good are fighting for a more decent international life and juster industry, . . . if . . . where so many live in houses that human being ought not to live in . . . where unemployment haunts families like fear of hell . . . if we could lift some burdens and . . . help to solve the problems of some communities, that would be wonderful.
‘If we do not, it will be wicked’.
Some time during Lent, find the full text of ‘God of grace and God of glory’ (all 5 verses), and let our Judge and compassionate Redeemer speak to you through its verses.
Janet Wootton
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