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(171) McMANIS, FAULKNER & MORGAN
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Justice is an ideal that we strive for. Sometimes we come close, but most of the time we fall short. Through striving we improve-if we pay attention to details and don't let the big picture discourage us beyond trying. We try, fail, get up and try again. A failure or mistake need not be our own in order for us to profit from it. My grandfather told me that the reason there are evil men on the earth is to provide an example for the rest of us of what not to do. This is not to apologize for evil men, but it does explain how they fit into the scheme of things. In truth, we are all of us sinners, in both great and small matters, and the only difference between those of us who stand now and then before the seat of judgement and those who do not, is that some of us have been caught and some of us haven't. The law, cat-like, lays in wait for all of us. When it pounces and holds us in its soft, needled paws we plead for mercy, and not for justice, for that would be our undoing. Though, when others fall into its snare, we may not be so generous: we desire justice when the machineries of the law are applied to others, and mercy when they are applied to ourselves. But, as we desire mercy, so should we extend this grace to others. Justice not tempered with mercy is revenge, and revenge has no place in the law. "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."* Be careful when you say this: what you are praying is that the quality of divine mercy should mirror your own. * The Book of Common Prayer, Morning Prayer. |