Over the past few months much of the news we have been paying attention to has something to do with justice. This has mostly been precipitated as we witness acts of violence against our brothers and sisters. We cannot help but cry out for justice as we witness those in power taking advantage of those who have none. We cannot help but cry out for justice when the “haves” get more and the “have nots” become even more poor. We cannot help but cry out for justice when our brothers and sisters are victims of hate, discrimination, or violence because of some aspect of their humanity that they had no choice in making.

Unfortunately, however, many of those who cry the loudest for justice have no idea what justice is. Even more unfortunately, many of those who cry out the loudest for justice do not understand that justice and mercy go hand in hand. In our day justice simply seems to be that those who have not should be able to take from those who have. Justice seems to be that those who are now oppressed should be able to oppress their oppressors. Justice, in the way it is being called for now, is nothing less than the suspension of the golden rule. Put simply, justice these days is all about getting revenge, changing history, and getting what we want when we want it.

So, what is justice? The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines justice as, the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give God and neighbor their due. (1807) The definition goes on the say that justice with regard to God is the humble and faithful practice of religion. Justice toward our neighbors is all about respecting the rights of each person and establishing in human relationships the harmony that promotes equity among people and improves the common good. In more common language, justice is the giving to each their due. To each a fair wage for their work, to each the respect due a human being, to each a fair chance, to each an opportunity to be the best version of themselves that they can be. This virtue of justice practiced by all is about allowing each person to reach their full potential and allows our common good to be the best it can be.

Justice must be grounded in truth. To give each their due, we must know what each person is due. It is not enough to give to others what we think they deserve, it is not enough to assume everyone can get by with the same things, it is not justice to stereotype a group of people and assume they all need the same thing. We must, with eyes wide open, with the light of Christ, come to know truth so that in every situation we can give to each their due.

Giving to each their due does not always mean we are giving a handout. Sometimes, what is due to another person is correction. Sometimes what is due to another person is punishment. Sometimes what is due to another person is praise and rewards. As part of the virtue of justice no matter the situation every person is due respect.

So, where does mercy fit into this? We need only look to the cross of Christ to see what mercy is. Jesus, on the cross dies for our sins. He takes the punishment due to us upon himself and releases us from the burden of our guilt. Mercy does not deny injustice, nor does it condone it. Instead mercy looks at the situation and determines that withholding that which is due may be a better way to restore order and justice. Mercy is offering another chance to get things right and to make things new. While justice may bind us or the other to a course of action, and change of life, mercy, when done well sets all involved free to pursue the harmony that comes from being in right relationship with God and neighbor.

If we wish to see an end to violence, hate, discrimination, and abuse in our world and in our culture, we cannot simply proclaim justice as the salve for what ails us. Instead we must intentionally and deliberately pursue the virtue of justice, tempered with mercy, and combined with holy love so that instead of creating a new normal we can present a glimpse of paradise and the kingdom of God in our midst.