They say that “justice delayed is justice denied.” A person with a financial claim, a child waiting for the outcome of her parents’ annulment, the settling of a deceased estate, the delivery of basic services, etc., should not take forever. We get older. Life moves on. Opportunities come and go. We can’t always wait to resolve issues that are in the past. Sometimes the best decisions, even
though they may not be entirely satisfactory, are those made closest to the event.
Maybe the judge in this week’s parable was beholden to the woman’s adversary in some way. Or maybe he did not care that the widow needed her case resolved, or that her circumstances probably didn’t allow her to travel to see him repeatedly. Perhaps he simply despised those he was meant to serve, viewing them as an inconvenience rather than
the very reason he was employed in the first place. Maybe he was tired of a very ungratifying job, dealing with people’s problems all the time. Or he was caught in an administrative system designed to disempower people.
The church’s teaching emphasises the dignity of human beings and solidarity. People who struggle with systems greater than themselves should be helped, rather than hindered from attaining their rights.
Structures are in place to help people cope with the complexity and challenges of modern life.
Have you had experience with someone who was not doing their job to your satisfaction? Did you try to understand their lack of motivation? How can we contribute to a better culture of service in the country?
Reflections by Peter Knox SJ
