Inner Peace

When something evil happens to us, almost always, there is a reaction of wanting justice given to us. An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. Karma (in its modern Filipino meaning-- what one did, whether good or bad, comes back to them). An Indian woman told us that she does not really find Karma to be her cup of tea because one is compelled to do something good or bad because of a reward for the former and a punishment for the latter.

Thus, we should like to do good things because it is good in the first place and not expecting anything in return-- unconditional love. Altruism in its purest form.

However, what if we are the recipients of the harm done? If it is good then no worries, it is good, but what if another person stole from us? What if that person stole our property, or to our chagrin, the life of a loved one? Then, it is a whole different story. For our departed loved one, it is inconsequential for they are no longer here in the world.

Grief then happens to us. We are enraged. It is unacceptable. So, we seek justice. Human justice.

When Saint Pope John Paul II was shot and survived the assassination attempt, he visited the perpetrator. He had a long talk with him. And, he forgave him.

When Our Lord Jesus Christ was on the cross, among His last words were, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

Personal forgiveness, then, is easier than family/relatives and friends’ forgiveness. It is understandable because forgiveness is relative. One may forgive yet another may not of the same evil done to them, regardless whether it is a direct or an indirect act of intrusion to anyone’s well-being.

For example, a woman who was raped may had forgiven, yet her family may still seek justice. Furthermore, a woman who was raped and killed, definitely, warrants a plea for justice from her family.

Thomas, Locke, and, Rousseau, are philosophers who argued that for the common good to thrive in a democracy we are bound by a social contract. This contract must be upheld wherein the rule of law must endure, otherwise, there is a collapse of the tenets of democracy and we go back to the state of war. Anarchy and chaos proliferate in such a state.

Hence, there are checks and balances, different departments in a country and in the world. There is a Department of Justice, Foreign Affairs, etc. on the home front while there is a United Nations peace-keeping-force which by the way, The Philippines is very actively sending soldiers to ensure peace in war-torn-countries. Or to a lesser degree, an International Court of Law.

A nation may plea for justice in behalf of a citizen from another nation. When all else fails, sanctions and other plethora of strategies may be undertaken. Again, the common good is at stake, hence, safeguarding all lives of Filipinos must be assured. OFWs lives matter. Their needs and their families needs must be a sincere priority after being hailed as modern-day Filipino heroes. Until such time, in the not so distant future, (we hope), that there would be no more need to find livelihood in other parts of the globe.

When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers (Proverbs 21:15). Rest assured dear readers, that if anyone here on Earth is not given Human Justice, on Judgment Day they will be rendered Divine Justice. Our Lord Jesus Christ will comfort you and bring you peace, and our Mother Mary, the Queen of Peace will embrace you in her arms and soothe your soul.

Personally, on the one hand, my own path to inner peace is forgiveness. My departed-older-brother who was a lawyer once told me the best case is no case. And, my late mother told me, be kind and good. In the final analysis, that would suffice. Why? Because, “The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm” (Exodus 14:14).

Finally, on the other hand, for those who pray for justice be not afraid, because, “Whoever says to the guilty, ‘You are innocent,’ will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations. But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come on them” (Proverbs 24:24-25).