Justice or Mercy

Yesterday the Libyan man who was convicted in 2001 of the Lockerbie bombing was released from prison to return to Libya. It was controversial, some think he was innocent, others that he was a brutal, evil killer. What is obvious is he was a very sick man, with not long to live. Brian Taylor, BBC Scottish political correspondant comments on his blog that the Scottish Justice secretary,Mr MacAskill "told me and every inquiring journalist that there had been no deal with the UK Government or Libya or anyone else which prejudiced him in favour of the decision he took.
That decision had been motivated solely by compassion: justice tempered by mercy
An interesting phrase, which confronts us with the evil that is around us and what we do with it. Do we seek justice for the evil person over there, but compassion and mercy for our own evils? Now I am not suggesting that we are all guilty of murder, but its good to be mindful of what Jesus said in Matthew 5:21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder,and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment." and Romans 3:23-24 tells us "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Evil is close to our own door.
We can be so grateful for the grace of God, but not take it for granted. And what about the radical love and compassion of God, who is merciful? That is the kind of life we want to live, becoming people that look into the face of evil and defeat it with the love and compassion of God. If we merely shout for justice, we may be suprised the way we are judged