There are two virtues that only God can exercise perfectly — his divine justice and his infinite mercy. At first glance it seems that they contradict each other, since if God decided to apply his divine justice, there would be no one who could be free of guilt before him. And on the other hand, if he wanted to apply his infinite mercy, there would be no one who could be condemned. So how do these two divine characteristics work?

Let’s begin with the basics: What is justice? Some say it’s the truth. Others argue that in the Bible the word “righteous” is used to point to those who are holy, those who have conformed to God’s will. In the dictionary we find it defined as “moral principle that leads to the determination that everyone should live honestly,” and we also find “law, reason and equity.” These definitions indicate that justice is impartial, equanimitous, and rectitude for actions and decisions. 

What is mercy? Many definitions also come up when searching for this term. One of them is the virtue that inclines the soul to pity the sufferings and miseries of others. It is the practice of indulgence and forgiveness, compassion or forbearance to one who commits an offence.

How can these two virtues be linked? The key to managing them in the best way possible is to combine them, to practice justice when offering mercy and vice versa. Sometimes, people think of mercy as permissive. However, permissiveness is mercy’s opposite — so much so that one of the spiritual works of mercy is to correct those who err. Encouraging bad behavior, far from being an act of mercy, is an act of complicity. A condescending attitude does not love, but fears: it fears what people will say, it fears the consequences of pointing out and distinguishing between good and evil, it fears being rejected. When one truly loves, one seeks the real good of the person, that is, salvation. Admonishing someone with mercy, far from being a cruel act, may be the best way to love them.

Let’s look at the parable of the prodigal son. The father in the story is not permissive with his son; he opens the way for the latter to experience the consequences of bad decisions. The father does not go out to rescue his son from the terrible circumstances he faced after squandering the grace of his inheritance. No, the father stays at home suffering from the absence and loss of his son, but at no time does he incite or approve of the lifestyle the son decided to follow.

However, once the son repents and wants to return, the father welcomes him with a hug, forgiveness and restoration, because he knows the contrition of his son’s heart. Permissiveness prevents and inhibits repentance and awareness because it feeds bad behavior. Justice, on the other hand, which administers or allows the consequences of actions, opens the space to foster true acts of consciousness and promotes growth and maturity. Experiencing the consequences of mistakes can be the greatest act of mercy.

However, justice administered without compassion is revenge. Revenge reinforces a vicious cycle of guilt because what becomes important is condemnation and punishment. This prevents the development and maturity of a person. Mercy seeks repentance that comes with an interior renewal and positive change. Mercy is not opposed to justice, quite the contrary. The goal of the merciful heart is to accompany a person to achieve justice in holiness, truth and fullness. Justice is at the service of mercy because it allows truth to become a teacher — one of the best ways to express true love.

When mercy lacks justice, it becomes pusillanimity (timidness or lacking courage), and fosters the degeneration of a person. When justice lacks mercy, it turns into revenge and promotes the destruction of a human being. The combination of these two virtues is necessary so that we don’t lose sight of truth, charity and, most importantly, the whole person.

This month, as we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday (April 27), we ask the sacred heart of Jesus, the Eternal Father and the Holy Spirit to teach us to be grateful for the times when we have received merciful justice for our actions. May we be thankful for these crucial occasions that allowed us to repent, grow as people, advance in holiness, live justice and practice mercy.