TRUE JUSTICE THROUGH THE CROSS

15 Sept 2018 Sat - The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Sharing notes of homily by His Grace, Archbishop William Goh @ The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd
*Note: these notes do not cover the entire homily, just the particular points that touched me among all that His Grace spoke about

 

Often we may think we are seeking justice, but in fact we are seeking revenge. 

Our intention is to punish the offender for the wrong he has done and to destroy his reputation so that ours may be restored.

This is not Christian justice. It is evil. It is not the way of God.

Revenge in the guise of justice causes more resentment and more hurt, leading to destruction of self and others. 

Sin leads to more sins. Sin has power. The more we commit sins, the more we allow evil to take hold.

True justice is healing.

It is the restoration of equilibrium, the restoration of the persons - the one who is being hurt, and the one who is hurting the other.

It makes things right in a way that there is peace, love, joy and forgiveness. 

It does not mean allowing evil to prevail or allowing the offender to go free. The offender must be prevented from doing more harm, and causing more hurt to others. 

We are all sinners in different ways, God wants to give us His mercy through His cross; to look at the cross and to find hope, peace and healing.