The second cardinal virtue is --
Individual JusticeJustice is the virtue which is primarily concerned with the other. This is what makes justice so important, and the reason why it comes right after prudence in the order of primacy. With justice, we don't just realize our own private good, but are also enabled to cultivate the good of relationships. Because it focuses on other persons, it is a broader, more-encompassing virtue than Fortitude and Temperance, which focus primarily on the self.
Justice is therefore absolutely essential if we want to be happy. Without it we will fail in building relationships with those around us, and what is more pitiful, more miserable, than a human being left only with himself? Such a person is trapped and stifled within the narrow limits of himself; he is self-enclosed, lonely, and unfulfilled.
Now there are three different kinds of relationship which justice promotes: relationship with God, relationships with individuals, and relationships with societies. These are the various "others" to whom we must give what is due. This lesson will focus on the first of these two groups, while the next lecture will deal with the third aspect of justice, or "social justice."
Justice concerns what we owe to others, so the question at this point becomes, what do we owe to God? Well, quite obviously, we owe Him everything! He has given us our very life, our existence, our salvation, and all our other blessings. So right from the beginning, we can never attain to a level of pure justice with God, because we can never repay our massive debt to Him. "Man can never say to God: we are even."
What does it take to develop and encourage good relationships with other persons? Another way of asking this question is, "What do I owe my neighbor?" Surely, there are many things we owe to our neighbors, many things to which they have a right. Let's look at just a few of them.
Innocent persons have a right to their lives. Murder is the violation of that right, and so is unjust.
Before engaging in any sexual activity, our partner has a right to a full, personal commitment, which can only take place through marriage. Fornication and adultery is the violation of that right, and so is unjust.
Persons have a right to certain material possessions. Theft or swindling is the violation of that right. (Note: this includes any kind of scam, where profit for one party depends on the loss of another party).
Others have a right to a good name, a good reputation. Gossip or slander is the violation of that right, and so is unjust.
Everyone has the right to be treated courteously. Rudeness is the violation of that right, and so is unjust.
Each person has the right to be respected. Malicious mockery (that is, to make fun of someone with the purpose of belittling him) is the violation of that right, and so is unjust.
Persons have the right to their spiritual dignity, that is, to be appreciated for their full personal value (as opposed to being treated as a merely physical object). Pornography is the violation of that right, and so is unjust.
Others have the right to our good example. Scandal is the violation of that right, and so is unjust.
Others have the right to truth. Lying is the violation of that right, and so it is unjust.
Of course, there are many more kinds of injustice than those listed here: in our pursuit of the virtue of justice, it is beneficial to consider which kinds of injustice most characterize our dealings with others, in order that we may more effectively root them out. Remember, justice and injustice aren't simply about rules and rule-breaking. They're about being able to form and sustain genuine community with the people in our lives. Only once we realize this fact will we be able to rid our lives of the various impediments to justice.
Further, as our faith teaches us, there could be no justice without mercy. After all, if God hadn't created human beings - which was more than He owed us (i.e., mercy) - then there wouldn't be any issues of human justice, since humans wouldn't even exist! And if He hadn't come down from Heaven to redeem us - which was also more than He owed us (i.e., mercy) - then we'd never have been freed from the slavery of sinful injustice. This shows us that God's mercy comes before and goes far beyond his justice.
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have always been merciful to humanity, most especially when the Second Person of the Trinity became incarnate and died in order to restore the proper relationship between God and man. We are expected to do the same: we must go beyond the strict limits of justice and be generous, merciful, and forgiving.
Divine mercy is to be our model, as the parable of the Unmerciful servant so eloquently expresses. "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." Every Christian must give to others more than they are owed if he would follow Christ's commandments. In the words of the Gospel: "You have heard that it was said, ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow."6 The devoted disciple of Our Lord will never be satisfied with mere justice; he will recognize the need to go further and delve into mercy.
Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=56726.0