SEMINAR ON MERCY AND JUSTICE
AT DITh 2016-17 Pope Francis has dedicated this year as a year of Mercy. It was an apt
and gracious moment to host a seminar which was a bundle of intellectual and
thought provoking event. The Resource person, Rev. Dr. Joseph Lobo, S.J, on
20th August 2016, deeply enumerated and elucidated on the theme Mercy and
Justice at Darshan Institute of Theology. Deacon Jason Pais was the M.C for
the full seminar. The seminar began with the lighting of the lamp by the
dignitaries, imploring Gods choicest blessings, through a bhajan. A warm and
cordial welcome was extended to the august assembly by Fr. Albert Lewis, the
Dean of Studies. The seminar was attended by the religious men and women
from the Kengeri Deanery. We were also privileged to have Jesuits
scholastics from Anekal.
In the keynote address, Rev. Fr. Joseph Dolphy Pais, the Provincial Minister
of Holy Trinity Province Karnataka, brought to light in a nutshell the
Relationship between Mercy and Justice. Mercy and Justice meets at the
Cross. God goes beyond Justice and these two aspects are inseparable from
each other.
The much awaited input sessions by the Resource person was done in two
sessions. The first session extensively dealt with:
Anthropological foundations
of Mercy and Justice
Relationality is the
very fabric of our entire Reality.
Mercy and Justice are
only the instruments and not the end in itself
Our final goal is a
reconciled living by giving both Mercy and Justice a dynamic touch.
Mercy and Justice are also
advocated in other Religious traditions
In Islam, Zakat means
almsgiving is a merciful praxis.
In Buddhism, Karuna to
all creatures is reflection of Mercy whereas Dhamma stands for
comprehensive Justice.
In Jainism refrain from
hurting even the smallest creature.
In Hinduism, Ahimsa,
daya are some of the celebrated values.
Mercy and Justice as
Foundational Characters of Christian Faith and Praxis
Words of Pope Francis
were alarmed in the minds of the august assembly that, Mercy is the
very hallmark of Church life and Mission.
Can Mercy Co-exist with
Justice?
Restorative Justice is
much needed without sidelining the Retributive Justice.
The Second input session
illumined and made clear to us the following aspects:
Mercy and Justice as the
Warp and Woof of Human Life.
True Mercy springs from
deep involvement in the History which is manifested in the episode
of Incarnation.
True Mercy does not
help to escape from pain and suffering, but to deal with it and
helping others.
Mercy as Piety Vs Mercy as
agent of transformation.
The paradox of our time
is that, mercy is doled out in view of restoring Justice
Mercy leads to
repentance and restoration of Justice. (Lk 19:1)
Scandal of Mercy
It is seen in the
parable such as Labourers in the Vineyard, Good Samaritan, Prodigal
Son.
Subversive power of Mercy
Mercy is the force that
reawakens us to new life and instill in us the courage to look the
future with Hope.
As a concluding note, he
invited us to be radical as our heavenly father is radical in practice of
Mercy and Justice without making differences between rich and the poor.
Questions were raised on various issues, to which the animator clarified and
posed his suggestions and reflections.
Fr. Salvador Fernandes, the Rector summarized the thoughts of the resource
person and delivered the vote of thanks. The seminar concluded with the
singing of our institute Anthem. Thereafter Simple fellowship meal brought
the seminar to a happy end and all departed with smile and charm on their
faces.
