The Scales and the Heart: Living the Balance of Justice and Mercy
- Apr 18
- 3 min read
Justice is the foundation (giving God and man their due) and mercy is the "fullness" of that love in action! Here is our second presentation from the Three Priest’s mini-retreat April 11, 2026 at St. Joseph’s Auditorium, Raritan. NJ., presented by the Friends of the Traditional Latin Mass.
After learning how the Gospel serves as the ultimate rescue mission, Father James Miara continues our journey by showing us how to live out that mission through the vital balance of justice and mercy. He explains how giving both God and our neighbors what they are truly due creates a firm foundation for a life filled with genuine Christian charity. Father James Miara's talk serves as a theological deep dive into how these two seemingly opposing concepts actually work together.
Father Miara—pastor of the Holy Innocents Parish in New York—delivered a structured presentation that balances rigorous definitions with practical examinations of conscience and inspiring saintly examples.
Here's a quick rundown of Fr. Miara's insightful message:
1. The Inseparability of Justice and Charity
Father Miara opens by quoting Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal John O’Connor to establish that justice is not a cold, legalistic concept but is intrinsic to charity.
The Definition: Justice is the "constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor" [02:43].
Justice toward God: This is specifically called the "virtue of religion," requiring reverence, gratitude, and worship [02:52].
Justice toward
Man: This involves respecting rights and establishing harmony that promotes equity and the common good [03:02].
2. A Model of Justice: St. Thomas More
The talk uses the life of St. Thomas More to illustrate justice in action [08:30].
The Conflict: More was a "king’s good servant," but he could not compromise his duty to God when King Henry VIII declared himself head of the Church in England.
The Lesson: Justice often comes at a price. More chose poverty, imprisonment, and eventually martyrdom rather than forsaking the truth or his values [11:11].
3. Practical Application: The Examination of Conscience
A significant portion of the talk is dedicated to a "Guide to Confession" based on justice [13:00]. Father Miara breaks down "sins against justice" into two categories:
Mortal Sins: These include significant theft, defrauding others of valuable rights, paying inadequate wages, and evading just debts [14:11].
Venial Sins: These cover "petty" injustices, such as using others' property without permission, failing to return borrowed items, or not pointing out when you’ve been given too much change [17:40].
4. The "Doorway" of Mercy
Transitioning to the second theme, Father Miara emphasizes that while God is infinitely merciful, He is also infinitely just [21:36].
The Choice: Quoting St. Faustina’s Diary, he notes that God opens the door of mercy first. However, "He who refuses to pass through the door of my mercy must pass through the door of my justice" [24:13].
True vs. False Mercy: Father Miara warns against "false mercy"—the idea of tolerating sinful behavior just to keep the peace. True mercy, he argues, is desiring the salvation of souls and gently instructing others in the truth [37:41].
5. A Model of Mercy: Venerable Mother Mary Angeline Teresa
To illustrate mercy, the talk highlights the foundress of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and the Infirm [25:01].
The Charism: She sought to serve the elderly not just with medical care, but with "kindness itself," ensuring they were treated with dignity rather than being seen as "disposable" in a "throwaway culture" [28:30].
The Three Degrees of Mercy: Following St. Faustina, the talk lists three ways to practice mercy: Deed (actions), Word (kindness and instruction), and Prayer (interceding for the suffering and the lost) [34:20].
Comments