JUSTICE
CFE 105a
Since the post-Vatican II years, the acronym
Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC)
has gained an added meaning. It highlights the
need for action towards structural changes that
affirm human dignity, personal responsibility
and universal solidarity.
To animate our group in the direction of such
action – at the personal level as well as a community
-it a key challenge. Take for example is the urgency
to promote a change in lifestyle, advocacy and
networking to safeguard the Integrity of Creation.
(Carrying on the Mission-100 years of CICM in the
Philippines, p. 92)
The vocation to proclaim the Kingdom in the
“people’s own God-given context” impels a CICM
missionary to confront the environment of blatant
inequality that people plough through in their daily
routine. Uneven opportunities to services, self-
Respect for fellow humans and equal rights are
sorely lacking in the world today. (Carrying on the
Mission-100 years of CICM in the Philippines, p. 91)
The mission of the CICM missionaries towards
Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation targets its
concern to the needs and issues of a community life peace
making among societies (Human Rights and Non-Violent
conflict resolutions) and respect for all created things
(ecological issues) and people (prisoners and less fortunate
people) in society as they bring life to the Gospel and the
Gospel to life.
Like Fr. John Couvreur, he campaigned against illegal
logging in Isabela. Here, it exemplifies that a CICM missionary
does not only evangelize the world of God but also puts these
teachings of the Church through action by responding to the call
of just and peaceful world and respect for the environment.
Long before Justice, Peace and Integrity
of Creation were formally introduced,
applying Christian social teaching was
already a constitutive element of each
missionary’s proclamation of the Kingdom.
A heart in search for the lost and the
marginalized treads the less trodden path
when organized groups, communities or
parish structures tend to gravitate toward
power, honor and wealth. (Carrying on the
Mission, p. 91)
It is very true among early CICM
missionaries that even though no education
were conducted on JPIC, their actions and
active responses to the needs of the
community were already visible in their
ministry.
1. Justice
Christians believed that the ultimate Judge
of us all is no other else that God alone.
However some judgements have to be passed
on earth for some actions and these are the
duties of our judiciary.
But how is justice going on in the world?
Do we still have a just world in terms of our
relationship with one another and in terms of
our relationship with society? Do we receive
just wages in our profession?
Are the prisoner treated humanely and kept
in good conditions? Or do we receive just and
fair judgement in terms of trial? These are
some questions we can possibly raise to
measure the conditions of justice in our
present moment.
The ministry of Christ is a just mission.
He never excluded anyone in his ministry
of healing the sick. He treated the ill with
compassion and love. He hated inequality
and that made him attacked those people
who insisted exclusivity.
He insisted on forgiveness rather than
persecution. Humans created the most
distractive punishment in the history of the
world, which is contrary to will of God. So,
when Christ came, he never allowed people to
be persecuted rather he emphasized
repentance.
Christ’s vision of justice is a harmony
of the human heart and social order that
gives respect to human dignity, practice of
the common good and constant practice of
solidarity. Justice for Christ is giving what is
due to the people and to the society.
In the words of Pope John Paul II,
“…all are created to live in Justice and to
work for peace. No one can claim
exemptions from this responsibility.” (1998,
Pope John Paul II. World Day of Peace
Message)
So, our response to Jesus’ Call to Justice is
to be a responsible agent in doing a just act,
just decision and just living, to pay respect to
the law of God and society, and to participate
in maintaining peace and order of the society.
End of the topic!
Closing Prayer
