Lately, I have felt the need to register my uneasiness about calls for justice, or at least to examine why it is that I am so slow to join the chorus. I suppose I fear that an insistence upon justice-as-sole-concern encourages our becoming comfortable as, well, judges.
Without question, it is very good to avoid injustice in the present, and exceedingly good to correct past injustice. That said, I find that I am increasingly unwilling to embrace justice as a chief virtue, per se. It just seems to miss the point.
For one, justice requires that everyone receives his due, and I am not especially eager to receive mine.
For most of the past century in America, religious folk -- especially those of us who have worked to develop compassion in our hearts and in our actions for the dispossessed and the disenfranchised -- often find ourselves citing justice as our primary cause in the public realm. I don't think there is anything especially wrong with that, except when our efforts lead us into undue self-regard, self-righteousness, or when our efforts lead us into a flare of righteous indignation towards others who, by our standards, fail to meet our expectations.
Justice is, without question, a laudable goal whenever and wherever injustice abounds, but I'm fairly certain that our love for justice is wrong when it eclipses mercy.
Mercy, after all, is or ought to be appreciated as the higher virtue, the virtue to which we ought to be giving our hearts.
Saint Matthew writes: "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the beam that is in your own?" (Matthew 7:1-3)
Saint Luke writes: "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven." (Luke 6:37)
Writing in the seventh century, Saint Isaak of Syria wrote: "Do not say that God is just; He has not shown justice in His dealings with you."
No. He hasn't. Nor, I'm compelled to say, would we desire absolute justice from Him.
Instead, we desire absolute mercy, and that is what He gives; it is also what He most profoundly asks of us -- to forgive, even as we are forgiven.
Saint Isaak writes: "What is a merciful heart? It is a heart on fire for the whole of creation, for humanity, for the birds, for the animals, for demons and for all that exists. By the recollection of them the eyes of a merciful person pour forth tears in abundance. By the strong and vehement mercy that grips such a person's heart, and by such great compassion, the heart is humbled, and one cannot bear to hear or to see any injury or slight sorrow in any in creation. For this reason, such a person offers up tearful prayer continually even for irrational beasts, for the enemies of the truth, and for those who harm him or her, that they be protected and receive mercy. In like manner, such a person prays for the family of serpents because of the great compassion that burns without measure in a heart that is in the likeness of God."
Saint Isaak reminds us: "God is not One who requites evil, but who sets evil right."
So, let's begin with ourselves, and the evil over which we have a say.
I'd like to encourage widespread use of the following 4th Century prayer, a prayer of Saint Ephraim, also of Syria. Think of it as a prescription, twice daily:
"Lord and Master of my life, grant not unto me the spirit of idleness, of discouragement, of lust for power, and of vain speaking.
"Grant, rather, unto me, thy servant, the spirit of chastity, of meekness, of patience, and of love.
"Yea, O Lord and King, grant that I may perceive my own transgressions, and judge not my brother, for blessed are you, unto all ages. Amen."
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.