MERCY And JUSTICE

2/12/2016

St. John of God saving the Sick from a Fire at the Royal Hospital by Manuel Gómez-Moreno González (1880)

"Today's justice is yesterday's charity; today's charity is tomorrow's justice." - Bl. Etienne-Michel Gillet

Read:
James 2:1-26
Psalm 72
Matthew 25:31-46

Study:
1) Handouts:
Social Teaching of the Church; Works of Mercy

2) CCC 210-211, 268-270, 545, 909, 1422, 1730-1742, 1749, 1828-1829, 1846-1848, 1877-1948, 1994, 2207-2213, 2401-2449, 2840 (YOUCAT 89, 226, 302, 314, 321-332, 347, 451, 524)

Meditate:
Are mercy and justice opposed to each other? How does God's mercy fulfill His justice, and vice versa? How do the four pillars of Catholic Social teaching; Person-hood, Subsidiarity, the Common Good, and Solidarity change the way I think about myself, my family, my society, and my country? What impact does Christ identifying Himself with the poor and needy have on my actions and thoughts? Where can I get the help to do the works that Christ calls me too?

Pray:
Make us worthy, Lord, to serve those people throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands, this day, their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give them peace and Joy. Amen.

Imitate:
St. Josephine Bakhita

Apply:
What opportunities has God given to me to practice the works of mercy, both corporal and spiritual?

Extra:
Church of St. Mary Social Teaching Series
Spiritual Works of Mercy
Corporal Works of Mercy

He who closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself cry out and not be heard.
(Proverbs 21:13)

2 Comments

Florence Rosato

3/2/2018 09:05:12 am

Mercy/Justice
I think seeking the proper Justice will obviously require one to give/show mercy. In giving Mercy whether it's a judgment, financial, sharing and so forth, one certainly depends on the other to be effective. Doesn't Justice acquire its objectives from doing what is right. Therefor the objectives requires Mercy of some type. Now if one asks, aren't there different levels of Mercy. Than yes there are many . But one cannot say for certainly that Justice and Mercy oppose each other. I truly do-not believe their independent of each other.

God Fulfills His Mercy
God gives everyone free will. In a lot of ways it's beautiful because God's Mercy is always available. We can walk away, but God never walks away from us. He left His words to be printed in the Holy Scriptures to guide our path. These clearly show one must admit their a sinner before God's Mercy can be obtained. He gives us the Holy Spirit who touches our inner judgment of conscience to convince us without conversion we're lost. But, once you realize sin is against God's love, the need for God's Mercy becomes very important to seek God's grace. God's Justice is fulfilled when one refuses to realize sin is against God period. Thereby not giving God His due. However, God's Justice is truly fulfilled when one says, "I'm a sinner Father Forgive me". God fulfills His Mercy by offering open arms filled with Love to bring You home to Him. Glory n=be to our Blessed Lord.

Catholic Social Teaching
I found after reading/studying the hand-out on the issue to totally agree with it. One must love God and their fellowman to be able to serve God in a worthy manner. One is expected to love their neighbor (fellowman) to show the proper dignity everyone deserves. One as a Christian has a duty to obey the laws of the land. One cannot love God without loving his fellowman. To be able to truly meet these issues one must practice everyday to put others needs above their own. This doesn't mean you should attempt something you can't actually do. However, if one can't help another in a particular situation, you certainly can help find someone who can assist them. God tells us to be subject to our laws (as long as they do-not go against our moral responsibility) We must always have the good of each other as true Christians. This involves seeing our fellowman as more important than the material items we're fortunate to posses. Needless to say our country has lost its moral values and indices ideas against what God has said to be a moral sin. Personally, i must re-evaluate my dedication to my fellowman. I definitely need to offer much more help to those I know I can help. I can always seek the Church's assistance (once I'm confined a Catholic). I also have areas I know need my help locally.

Personally, this lesson opened my eyes to areas that I need to improve as I grow in my Christian Faith. I find God is certainly touching my heart and the blessing of the Holy Spirit is guiding my conscious. I'm so glad God loves me. It brings tear to my eyes!!!!! Amen

Michael Miller

4/3/2018 05:47:08 pm

1 Mercy and Justice are one and the same. True justice would also be a sentence of mercy. Therefore I do not belie they oppose each other.

2 It is my belief that when God hands down his judgement which is also his mercy. They are one and the same.

3 The four pillars of Catholic church are a great way to understand the basic way we as humans should conduct our lives. The way we should help others to understand or put them on the road to someone who can.My knowledge of the Bible is quiet limited I need time to study the word. My Family, My country.Myself and for the most part society in it's self.
May God in His infinite wisdom Help us

4 Jesus always held out his hand and his heart. This was for all the people not just chosen ones. When do I say to the sick and poor all nationalities it makes no difference to me all are welcome in my home. I swear to God my day is coming when I can say this and know God knows I am telling the truth.
Michael Miller

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Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
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AUTHOR:
Caleb Payne

Caleb began his journey with Christ in 1997. He worked as a Protestant missionary for 8 years in China. It was soon after that he was challenged to consider the Catholic Church. After much prayer and study, he realized he had nothing to protest anymore and was received into full communion with Christ and His Church at the Easter Vigil Mass of 2011. For him the joy and peace that comes with receiving Christ in the Eucharist has turned into an insatiable desire to lead others to this same banquet. Caleb is first a husband, a father of three, and works in the Cortland area as a Registered Nurse. Caleb is a member of the Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic, the Angelic Warfare Confraternity, the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary, and is an Evangelist for Saint Paul Street Evangelization. He has Certifications in Thomistic/Catholic Philosophy, Catholic Theology, and Catholic Apologetics through the New Saint Thomas Institute. He is also currently in the Formation for Ministry Program of the Syracuse Diocese.