let us try to imagine what Mary experienced in her heart when other family members – after hearing about Jesus’ works and that great crowds were following Him – set out to take charge of Jesus because they believed that He was out of His mind (Mark 3:21). Besides feeling hurt and alone, she surely knew that what was happening was not right or just. While she may have tried to prevent them she must have felt powerless. I am also given the impression tht Saint Bernadette, instead of being suported by a number of those in authority either in Lourdes or the convent, was at least marginalised if not threatened for bearing a wonderful message for the Church.
In our reading the Lord speaking throguh the prophet says that His chosen Servant will bring true justice to the nations. True justice is God’s justice and may be quite differenet to our own sense of it; in providing for peoples’ needs, God does not distinguish between them at all but causes the sun to shine on and the rain to fall for all (Matthew 5:45); another example is the parable of the labourers
(Matthew 20:1-16) where those who worked for an hour received as much as those who worked the whole day. God’s justice is associated with Him being the Creator (verse 5), knowing all and seeing all at the same time, seeing a far bigger picture than we do.
True justice is not brought about through force, war or violence for God’s Servant, Our Lord Jesus Christ, though He Himself is strong enough to neither waver nor be crushed (verse 4), does not “break the crushed reed, nor quench the wavering flame” (verse 3). True justice for all people comes through the strength He has to willingly and lovingly sacrifice Himself. God’s justice will see that all are enlightened and prisoners are freed (verse 7) meaning that the effects of evil will be overcome – the unjust will themselves be enlightened and freed. Only God is able to bring this hope to reality.
Am I willing to discern between the times when I may be called upon to be the Lord’s instrument of justice by defending the poor and when I must accept the injustice of a situation like Mary and Saint Bernadette? Do I practise true justice by providing for other people’s needs unconditionally or do I calculate according to my limited judgement? Am I excessively focused on my rights and obtaining them or am I willing to sacrifice for a deeper peace and in union with Christ, for true justice for all?
Lord, help me to understand what your justice, true justice is. Give me the patience to wait for your vindication and to avoiid any violence in thought, word or deed when I believe that I am unjustly treated. Keep me attentive to the needs of the poor.
Let us pray the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be.
1 av. Monseigneur Théas
