Justice and Mercy (Reflection: 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

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This week’s reading from Wisdom is an ode to the justice and mercy of God. It begins by extolling the uniqueness of God, Who is over all things and Whose actions cannot be judged by anyone else. Everything He does is indisputable in its justice because God is infinitely wiser and more benevolent than anyone else (as last week’s reading attests). The language is strongly reminiscent of a similar passage in Romans, where St. Paul states:

O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

“For who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has been his counselor?”

“Or who has given a gift to him,

to receive a gift in return?”

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:33-35)

And yet, although God can execute justice at any time, He nevertheless chooses to judge with mildness, and deal with His creatures with mercy. It is not for no reason that although justice is an important part of Christian teaching, mercy is emphasized even more, especially since it is this priority of mercy over justice that is the reason why Christ gave Himself for us on the cross, resulting in our salvation.

And yet, God will not always be merciful to those who persist in disobeying Him. At a time known only to Himself, He will execute judgment over those who refuse to give Him allegiance. Everyone must at some point reckon with God’s judgment, and receive either justice or mercy: “For it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

With this in mind, we should be thankful to God for His bountiful mercy. Yet we should not take it for granted, but live in a manner that is pleasing to Him. We should also declare His mercy to those who have yet to receive it, so that they too may receive salvation.

J. Luis Dizon