Angelus Calendar: May - Virtue of Justice

by Jane Carver

"Someone may ask, 'How is justice greater than all the other virtues?' Other virtues gratify the one who possesses them; but justice does not give pleasure to the one possessing it, instead it pleases others." - St. Jerome

Justice is a virtue. But how often does the world tell us that justice is a vice? Telling someone that they are wrong, "judging" others? 

Justice doesn't only punish what is wicked, but rewards that which is good!

We know from the Creed that Jesus is the "Just Judge" and that He shall come to judge the living and the dead. Jesus Himself became man and lived our life here on earth. He experienced temptations, sorrow, joy, and death. He has a right to judge us all as Creator but remember it was He the Creator, who less than a week ago, died for us. God's example of the Just Judge should only further our hatred of sin since His judgement is the result of the infinite love He has already shown to all.

Sometimes, justice can be a cause for disordered fear, knowing that we are all indeed, sinners and have merited a just punishment. But Christ's Mother has no judgement in her. She is the Mother of Mercy and the Refuge of Sinners and through her intercession we are spared the magnitude of justice we deserve! 

- Jane Carver

"The virtue of justice is to give everyone what is his due. To God we give the worship which is due to Him as our Creator, Lord, and Father. To our neighbor, we owe respect for his rights, taking into account our various obligations toward him, according to whether he is our superior, equal, or inferior. Justice is always the necessary foundation of charity, without which, charity itself could not subsist."

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