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12.20.05  Tuesdays Reflection

What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to live kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

At Christmas time, we are very aware of family and friends and of the ways

in which we may have separated in the last year or sometimes, many, many

years ago, for reasons no longer relevant or even forgotten. This is why a

short article by Lorne K. Freake, a prison chaplain, on restorative justice

seems appropriate for this last week of Advent.

Restorative justice contains three essential elements: justice, kindness and

humility.

Justice itself has many aspects, the first being dialogue. We need to share

both "what has happened" and "what is happening" - to meet at a round table

as members of one human community, seeking healing for all. Another element

is recognition - a willingness to see at least two sides to the story. A

third feature is understanding, where a degree of empathy is found on all

sides of the dialogue.

The second principle of restorative justice is kindness. Padre Lorne is

reminded of Richard, a federal parolee who had spent the last eight

Christmases in jail. This was to be his first Christmas on the outside and

he didn't know what to do. So, on a stormy winter day, we gave Richard a

lift to the next town so he could pick up his children for Christmas. We

also lent him $50 for presents, money which he has since repaid. Such

kindness made all the difference for Richard. By putting ourselves in his

shoes, we saw that he needed help to make it through Christmas and we helped

him fit back into his family and community.

The third element is humility. Humility challenges us not only to change the

societal order, but to change ourselves as well. It is humility that opens

us to healing, reconciliation and forgiveness.

May these words help us all prepare to receive the Prince of Peace at

Christmas. This week let us reach out to others. Let us also keep in our

prayers all the members of the VMM community, in Europe, in North America,

in Central America, in Africa and wherever else we may be.

A blessed Christmas to all.

Cecily