When I first volunteered to contribute something for November 12th, I assumed that the theme would be Remembrance. I then realised that the theme for the week was Justice. I hope to combine these in today’s reflection.
The bible has much to say on the subject of Justice. Perhaps the best-known passage is from Micah 6, “He hath shown thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God” (in the version many of us grew up with). But as Monty Python said, “And now for something completely different!” - the same passage from The Message; “But he`s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It`s quite simple: do what is fair and just to your neighbour, be compassionate and loyal in your love and don’t take yourself too seriously – take God seriously.”
“The Rock, his work is perfect and all his ways are just. A faithful God without deceit, just and upright is he” (Deuteronomy 32:4) reminds us that Justice is at the very heart of who and what God is.
Another passage, heard frequently during Advent and Christmas tells us, “His authority shall grow continually and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onwards and for evermore…” Isaiah 8:7a.
Jesus had harsh words for the pious of his own day, who did and said all the right things, in their own eyes but omitted to `do justice`. “Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith…” Matthew 23:23a
But what about my original intention to say something relevant for Remembrance Sunday? Obviously, I haven`t the time to explore the Just War theory but let me share a few more passages which hopefully will tie Justice and Remembrance together. Proverbs 24:15 says, “When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.” On Remembrance Sunday we acknowledge the sacrifice paid by so many who sought to bring justice to the world by not only confronting tyranny but seeking to destroy it. War is brutal but bringing “terror to evildoers” is never “a walk in the park”.
To do justice is more than mouthing well meaning sentiments.
To do justice is often uncomfortable as it is not always possible or even desirable to be neutral and balanced when reacting to terrorism. Coming from Northern Ireland, this issue is very close to my heart and informs my attitude to events elsewhere in the world and in particular, the Holy Land.
Doing justice can never mean exercising moral ambivalence or excusing terror.
“But let Justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream”. Amos 5:24
Alan Kennedy
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