Homily for Mother Teresa Novena Mass, 5th day
Fr. Albert
Queen of Peace, Lafayette
There is a dirty word among Christians: Justice. It is popular to speak all the time of mercy. That word conjures up warm thoughts of reconciliation, welcome, and kindness. But justice… well, that too often sounds like rules or judgment, wrath or revenge. Still others suspect the word refers to invented rights, and conspiracies of control. And yet, there are those who are willing to speak of it as they should. Even the formulas for mass today are for the preservation of Justice and Peace. The collect started us off with recognizing that only the establishment of justice allows for true peace.
And that is the point Jesus makes in the Gospel. The faithful and prudent steward is rewarded precisely because he does what he is supposed to do when he is supposed to do it. There is an appropriate demand placed upon him, and it is a matter of justice for him to meet that demand. That is Justice: giving to each what is due to the them. So much of what Mother Teresa did is called merciful and loving – that’s true enough – but we are too easy on ourselves with that description. She was above and beyond, so I can’t be expected to follow suit.
No, a great deal of her work – more than we’d like to admit – was a matter of justice. At the heart of her work was the recognition of a simple, yet just demand. The dignity of the human person carries an awesome responsibility with it. To spend a few moments looking with love at a person dying in the street is not mercy, it is justice. Every human being ought to be acknowledged as a human being. The parable of the prudent steward sees distributing food at the proper time as a duty. So, to spare a little food for one dying of hunger is not generosity, it is justice.
St. Paul himself feels that sweet obligation of justice. He questions the Thessalonians, “What thanksgiving, then, can we render to God for you, for all the joy we feel on your account before our God?” The key word there is render – a word we use almost exclusively in matters of justice. Paul feels obligated to give thanks to God on behalf of the Thessalonians. In part because of their fidelity, in part simply because they exist as human beings. It is just to render to God this thanksgiving. Indeed, it is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation always and everywhere to give thanks.
It is also our duty and our salvation to distribute food at the proper time. To give drink to those dying of thirst; To give respect to those whose dignity is forgotten; to give company to those are alone, for man was not meant to be alone.
But doing this is expensive. It is difficult. Even rising to the bare minimums of justice seems outside the realm of possibility. How much greater the distance to actual generosity! How can anyone be saved? For man, it is impossible, but nothing is impossible for God. And that is what brings us to Mother Teresa’s words: “Trust Jesus Blindly.” Trust Jesus because he can, despite your limits and even through your weaknesses, bring you to actual justice. Trust Jesus because it is only his mercy and grace that makes justice possible for unjust humanity. Trust Jesus because, above all, it is what you owe him. It is your responsibility, your duty. To trust Jesus blindly is just… it is truly right and just.