JUSTICE IS THE LORD'S - A: 24th Sun in OrdTime

First Reading: Sir 27:33-8:9 (13 Sept 2020)

“The vengeful will face the Lord’s vengeance, for he keeps a strict account of their sins” (Sir 28:1)

The background of this passage is the famous lex talionis (i.e., “law of the claw”), which endorses the norm “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” This rule is sustained in the Ancient Near East civilizations, as we notice in the arguably oldest written law, the Code of Hammurabi, which states: “if a person caused the death of another person, the killer would be put to death.” Even if the degree of retaliation varies from one society to another, in any case, it is an established fact that the ancients thought this way: the evil done to a person will surely find vengeance in the immediate future here on earth. Thus, no offense is left unpunished.

We also think the same way even in the 21st century when we encounter the word “vengeance.” We believe God is a vindictive God who will act on our behalf and punish the evildoers in retribution. While we admit that malefactors will surely be penalized, harboring this sentiment is counterproductive and un-Christian.

Bearing grudges against another, while it is a legitimate reaction to an offense, only perpetuates hatred, anger, and ill feelings.

We should remember that our God, more than anything else, is a God of love (1 Jn 4:8, 16). And this should overshadow all human emotions in forging peaceful and virtuous humanity. In the gospels, Jesus negated this desire for revenge by teaching unconditional forgiveness:“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also” (Mt 5:38-39). Jesus reproached, hence, those who promote the lex talionis by mandating: “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44). This verse actually reechoes what we read in our First Reading today: “Forgive your neighbor the wrong he has done, and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray” (Sir 28:2).

Love and prayer … these two elements should never be lost.

Part of our confusion is rooted in the word “vengeance” that we read in Sir 28:1, which influences us to reason that communities should promote the so-called “mirror-punishment.” Thus, despite the poor justice system, we believe in notions such as “karma,” “reincarnation,” “bad luck,” and “curse,” that translate into divine or cosmic chastisement of the sinner.

The Greek word used in Sir 28:1 is “ekdikēsis,” which can mean three-fold: 1) “meeting out of justice,” 2) “retaliation for harm done, vengeance,” or 3) “penalty inflicted on wrongdoers, punishment” (cf. BDAG). However, we become so accustomed to the second and third meanings that we often forget the first meaning, which is to render justice. Seeking justice is never wrong since it is founded on the principles of fairness, goodness, and equality. Seeking vengeance is malicious since it is based on the craving to inflict harm on the other.

Thus, rather than promote “God’s vengeance,” let us promote instead “God’s justice.” The results of both are nonetheless the same: the delinquent will be liable for his/her wrongdoings.

The only difference is adding the element of revenge only ruins our class as Christians.

- Rex Fortes, CM