I heard the tension between justice and mercy explained one time as an “iron law” administered by a “loving judge”. The law is cut and dry, but God’s administers it like a parent to his children. He wants us to succeed, but permits us to make our own choices.
Contrast this with the pharisees of Jesus’ time, who administered the iron law by the book—trying to stone the woman comes to mind, but God shows us what justice AND mercy looks like in that example.
This is a reassuring scripture to meditate on, that we are the bruised reeds. Knowing that God will judge our souls with tenderness is good medicine.
Nicely said. Msgr Pope wrote a very short book named "The hell there is". Wonderful explanation for the existence of hell as God's loving us to hell rather than "condemning" out of anger or retribution. This is very close to what you wrote. God respects our free will so much that He will not force anyone to accept heaven. Peace be with you and thank you!
Thank you for this luminous reflection on justice and mercy. Your words echo the tenderness of the Sacred Heart, Who does not break the bruised reed but gently strengthens it, and Who fans the faintest flame of love into a holy fire.
At MaltaLeeds Heart to Heart, we walk with young men and women (ages 25 - 37) who feel like bruised reeds.... aching for healing, clarity, and purpose in their journey toward holy marriage, community, and Christ-centered mission. Like the Levitical flax still smoking from the embers of old wounds, many carry hidden longing for restoration, not judgment. And Christ meets us there, not to extinguish, but to rekindle.
We’re reminded that the fire of divine justice burns clean, not cruel, and that mercy is not soft indulgence but God's fierce commitment to our full flourishing. In Jesus, justice and mercy are not rivals but radiant spouses. May that truth convict us and console us as we each seek to live lives worthy of the eternal prize (cf. Phil 3:14).
If you're reading this and feel that longing to be fanned into flame (whether for love, discernment, healing, or purpose) we welcome you to join our small, growing community of hearts on pilgrimage: MaltaLeeds Heart to Heart
Let us walk the Emmaus Way together, with the Sacred Heart as our guide, and never despair of the mercy that strengthens
There are some respects in which humans can be like bruised reeds which need to be treated gently and healed of their infirmity. There are other ways in which humans are like a dead plant that must be brought back to life.
To speak of mercy upholding justice is one helpful way to look at it, but I fear it is not complete. The mercy that God has upon sinners ensures that they do not receive their due, which would be eternal punishment for their sins. Rather, Christ takes on what is their due, and they are given what is due to Christ. Thus, mercy does not overturn justice, but transforms it. It is a solution that defies human logic. St. Anselm was right to call this "satisfaction": the fulfillment of justice, mercy, and love simultaneously.
I heard the tension between justice and mercy explained one time as an “iron law” administered by a “loving judge”. The law is cut and dry, but God’s administers it like a parent to his children. He wants us to succeed, but permits us to make our own choices.
Contrast this with the pharisees of Jesus’ time, who administered the iron law by the book—trying to stone the woman comes to mind, but God shows us what justice AND mercy looks like in that example.
This is a reassuring scripture to meditate on, that we are the bruised reeds. Knowing that God will judge our souls with tenderness is good medicine.
Nicely said. Msgr Pope wrote a very short book named "The hell there is". Wonderful explanation for the existence of hell as God's loving us to hell rather than "condemning" out of anger or retribution. This is very close to what you wrote. God respects our free will so much that He will not force anyone to accept heaven. Peace be with you and thank you!
As always : Beautiful.
Thank you for this luminous reflection on justice and mercy. Your words echo the tenderness of the Sacred Heart, Who does not break the bruised reed but gently strengthens it, and Who fans the faintest flame of love into a holy fire.
At MaltaLeeds Heart to Heart, we walk with young men and women (ages 25 - 37) who feel like bruised reeds.... aching for healing, clarity, and purpose in their journey toward holy marriage, community, and Christ-centered mission. Like the Levitical flax still smoking from the embers of old wounds, many carry hidden longing for restoration, not judgment. And Christ meets us there, not to extinguish, but to rekindle.
We’re reminded that the fire of divine justice burns clean, not cruel, and that mercy is not soft indulgence but God's fierce commitment to our full flourishing. In Jesus, justice and mercy are not rivals but radiant spouses. May that truth convict us and console us as we each seek to live lives worthy of the eternal prize (cf. Phil 3:14).
If you're reading this and feel that longing to be fanned into flame (whether for love, discernment, healing, or purpose) we welcome you to join our small, growing community of hearts on pilgrimage: MaltaLeeds Heart to Heart
Let us walk the Emmaus Way together, with the Sacred Heart as our guide, and never despair of the mercy that strengthens
There are some respects in which humans can be like bruised reeds which need to be treated gently and healed of their infirmity. There are other ways in which humans are like a dead plant that must be brought back to life.
To speak of mercy upholding justice is one helpful way to look at it, but I fear it is not complete. The mercy that God has upon sinners ensures that they do not receive their due, which would be eternal punishment for their sins. Rather, Christ takes on what is their due, and they are given what is due to Christ. Thus, mercy does not overturn justice, but transforms it. It is a solution that defies human logic. St. Anselm was right to call this "satisfaction": the fulfillment of justice, mercy, and love simultaneously.