A WORD FROM THE PASTOR
Being Just in Dealing with
Others
The ancient Greeks defined
justice as 'giving to another what is his due.' Though they gave a definition for justice, they failed to render the same
to their great philosopher-Socrates. Socrates felt he
had been given a divine call to right the wrong,
enlighten the ignorant and lead people from untruth
to truth. He engaged with people in conversation on
all kinds of topics - war, marriage, morality,
religion etc.
He was always kind and gentle in his disposition,
but delighted in exposing the quacks and the
humbugs of his time. He practiced the virtues he
preached. He was falsely charged with atheism and
corruption of youth by the Athenian people and the
judge ordered that he should be put to death by the
drinking of hemlock poison.
Since his death, history has reversed the judgment,
declared Socrates innocent and has condemned the
Athenian people and the judge as guilty of giving
an unfair and wrong judgment against him. Time
and again, we have seen in history that people have
been wrongly condemned and put to death. How are
we to act justly? When we are called upon to judge,
how should we render judgment?
In today's Gospel, Joseph gives us an example of
how we can wisely pass judgment on others.
Joseph, 'being a just man,' breaks the law by
showing compassion. In showing compassion to
Mary, he acts as God does in His dealings with His
people. St Joseph is the model for all men to
emulate in their lives.
Wishing you all a Happy Christmas.
In the service of the Lord,
Father Thainese Alphonse
|