Mercy depends on justice

Morning: Psalm 118; Isaiah 19:19-25; Romans 15:5-13

Evening: Psalm 145; Zechariah 9:9-16; Luke 19:11-27

Some Gospel passages seem so much at odds with the way we think of Jesus – full of mercy and compassion – that we have to delve into them more deeply.  Today, Reign of Christ Sunday, looks forward to a final fulfilment of justice on earth.  You cannot escape the fact that justice will mean hardship and suffering for those who try to subvert or escape justice.  Mercy does not contradict justice; mercy depends on justice.  In the many justice rallies across the world in the last 10 years, some have affirmed this with placards that declare: “No justice, no peace.”