Bringing forth Justice"

Today's Mass Readings

The classic definition of justice is “the firm and strong will to give to each what is his or her due.” This definition, which is received as part of the Greco-Roman tradition, is found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the encyclicals of the popes, and the Church’s many social teaching documents. It was even the subject of a small instructional book by Archbishop Pilarczyk (Bringing Forth Justice). The definition is comprised of three parts, which I would like to briefly touch upon in relation to today’s readings. First, justice involves having a “firm and strong will.” In today’s first reading from Daniel, and in the Gospel reading from Luke, it is clear that the righteous suffer persecution and injustice for the sake of God’s kingdom. In both cases, Scripture admonishes believers to trust in God for justice, rather than in the courts and tribunals of earthly power. While this trust does not guarantee earthly justice (some of the righteous will be put to death), it does guarantee righteousness before God and the promise of resurrection to everlasting life. Jesus himself guarantees that those who persevere with a firm and strong will, though hated and killed, will finally secure their lives with the only judge who ultimately matters: God.

Second, justice “involves giving to each.” That is, justice is first and foremost motivated by outward charity rather than inward self-interest. The focus of justice is giving to others, rather than seeking advantage for oneself. Hence, we are told by Jesus to love God above all things and our neighbors as ourselves. Notice that God comes first and the self comes last. Justice begins with God. St. Augustine understood this truth when he defined sin as being “caved in on oneself.” Sin is self-seeking and narcissistic. Justice is the opposite of sin. It sees the other before the self, and God before all. In today’s readings, Daniel exhibits this form of disinterested generosity when he refuses the wealth and prestige promised by the king and remains firm and strong in his faith in God. Similarly, the disciples are told by Jesus in today’s Gospel not to prepare their own defense when persecuted, nor to try to save their lives, but rather to rely on the wisdom that comes from God.

Finally, justice involves giving to others “what is his or her due.” In other words, it involves obligations and responsibilities owed to others. When discussing justice in the modern world, we are quick to focus on individual rights. In the ancient world in which Daniel and Jesus lived, this was not the case. Justice always began with responsibilities. Rights were never considered apart from responsibilities. When a person failed in their responsibilities towards others, they also forfeited their rights. In the first reading, King Belshazzar failed to give God what was due by worshipping false gods and by drinking out of the holy vessels reserved for temple worship. This failure may be understood as an injustice towards God on the part of the king and his consorts. The failure of responsibility towards God led to a forfeit of rights as king; Belshazzar lost his kingdom. By contrast, both Daniel and the disciples rely firmly on God for wisdom. They are not self-seeking. They face persecution and death firmly. In doing so they give to God what is his due and are rewarded with everlasting life.

Michael Lombardo