Reflections: Justice: what it means to me

Sydney
14 July 2002

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Reflections: Justice: what it means to me

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Reflections: Justice: what it means to me

By Lucy Gresser

When I was preparing for my confirmation, my mother taught me about the four cardinal virtues: temperance, justice, prudence and fortitude.

My Confirmation, she said, made me an adult in the eyes of the Church, and a strong, soldier-like Christian. Since then, I have seen how much I need these virtues, because it is not always easy to be a Catholic in our world.

So many aspects of my faith that I take for granted are neglected, or even completely rejected, in the secular institution where I study, and in my place of work. I need prudence and fortitude to help me promote the Catholic ideal of justice - giving to each person his or her due good.

I believe in protecting life from the moment of conception until natural death. As a Catholic, I believe the unborn have a right to life, and that justice is shown by helping mothers and fathers to give the unborn the opportunity to come into the world.

I also believe that we can’t stop with life issues. Giving due good to young people includes giving us the chance to live our lives for God. At university I participate in the work of a student society that makes available to students the knowledge of our faith. The availability of the sacraments brings to students an opportunity to take some time out of their busy schedules to thank God for everything.

I believe the Catholic idea of justice can change the world. I feel that our society has become so driven by the prioritising of wealth and property that the most important things in life are being pushed aside. We are human beings; we have feelings.

Justice teaches us to understand that faith, and love and religion are just as important - even more important - for us than money or fame.

Justice is also a virtue we owe to God. Not only do we give others their due good; we give to God His due good. This is the virtue of religion - giving God the worship that is due to Him as God.

I believe that part of our relationship with God is the discernment of the vocation that He has given us. This can be a real struggle, but I want to know that I have done God’s work on earth. We live in the presence of God, so we owe it to Him and to ourselves to strive for sanctity and to know His will for our lives.

Finally, justice involves the example that we set to other people. Do I give to God and to His people the good behaviour and the example that is due from me?

My thoughts and actions show God how much I want to please Him. If I behave justly, if I defend my faith, if I keep God and Heaven as my goal, then I can live out the virtue of justice, and be the witness that my Confirmation called and prepared me to be.

Lucy Gresser is a student at the University of Sydney. She is president of the Sydney University Society of St Peter, and was an active participant in the recent Carnivale Christi festival of Christian art.