September the 1st is a very important day for people from Poland. This is a day when in 1939 Germany attacked Poland and started the 2nd World War. It was a time of suffering and hate. It was a time of violence and revenge. It was a time when Devil unveiled his face.
Today last witnesses of that time are coming to the end of their life. Pretty soon nobody will be left to tell us what really happened. History seems to be losing some pieces of truth as well. Memory doesn't work so well too. Nobody is mentioning that few weeks after Germans attacked Poland, Russians did exactly the same on the East of Poland. We are always taught how many people died because of Hitler and nazism, not much info how many died because of Stalin and communism. It seems to me that justice we are looking for is very selective. We pick and choose how to be just. And this is a reason why this world didn't change a bit. "Justice for all" more and more means "justice according to me". Then more we fight for justice than more problems we have. Why?
Well, the answer comes as always from God. God is just but He is also merciful. His mercy is walking before His justice. And this is very important difference between our justice and His. I received in my life so many tips how to be just. Many people suggest what has to be done in the name of justice. All of them have one common elements - they luck understanding of mercy. After the 2nd World War Polish Bishops Conference send a letter to German Bishops Conference with words: "We forgive you and we ask for forgiveness". What a wonderful and deep understanding how to fight an evil. No revenge, hate but forgiveness instead.
Justice makes sense only if there is mercy before, otherwise it is only a revenge. I always pray for justice warriors, who are going to be very surprise at the end of time, when God will measure their lives according their standards.
September the 1st will be always for me a day of reflection about justice. What kind of justice? The blind holding a scale and measuring everything we did, or the one that have mercy as a first step to repentance? I believe the second one is there right one.
So when next time you will be calming need of justice, first ask yourself what are you really looking for.