THE PRODIGAL (7). BEYOND THE LAW

IGNORANCE OF THE LAW IS NO DEFENCE.

BUT HOW CAN WE BE ANYTHING BUT IGNORANT, GIVEN  HOW WORDY THE LAW BOOKS ARE - AND THERE ARE MORE AND MORE RULES AS TIME GOES BY, TOO. THE LAW IS A SPECIALIST BUSINESS - THE PRESERVE OF MAGISTRATES AND LAWYERS. YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO READ IT, UNDERSTAND IT AND INTERPRET IT.
So it's pretty easy to be ignorant of the law - it's that complicated. But it's hard to be ignorant of justice and injustice; that's something all experience in every day.
And that kind of justiceis not just a matter for the courts. It goes well beyond laws and rules. Mercy, kindness, friendship, love and forgiveness have everything to do with that sort of justice, even though they're nowhere to be found in written laws.
A just society is about more than Lady Justice balancing the scales whilst wearing a blindfold; it would involve a society that aimed to recognise  the dignity of each person and the common good of all. But that's just in your dreams - or is it?

DON'T THROW STONES!  "If any of you have never sinned, then go ahead and throw the first stone at her"! (John 8).
In the Gospel of John, we see Jesus constantly in conflict with the religious leaders of his day; they tried to trap Jesus by making him contradict himself, or the law. Think:  Where would you place yourself in this scene?
Why do the Pharisee bring just the woman, given that the law and its punishment apply to the man too?
Do you think some sins are more serious than others?
What does Jesus offer this woman? What does He offer us?

WHAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING? "You are not far from God's kingdom" (Mark 12:28)
Jews have always debated how to apply their religious law - they were already doing so back in Jesus' day.
Some of them were very committed to ritual purity and sought to regulate every area of life.
Others prefered to try and live in line with the spirit of the law.
Think: In what ways do loving God and loving our neighbour go together?
Who is my neighbour? Is my neighbour always lovable?
Is it possible to love even those who do not love us? What about those who hurt us? And those we have hurt

LAW, JUSTICE AND THE AUTHORITIES. "Obey the rulers who have authority over you" (Romans 13:1)
Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire, encouraging them to obey the civil authorities, whose authority comes from God.
This passage has been used  by some  throughout history to defend authoritarian power, prohibit any challange to the status quo and justify abuse in the name of the powers to be.
There's a big difference between abusing a text to make it say what you want, and trying to hear what it's acutally saying. This passage show us that rightful authority is not there for its own benefit, but to serve a higher cause - that of the common good.
Think: What should be the goal of all political power? Who can say what's good and bad for society?
What are the requirements for an authority to legitimately clain to be 'God's servant'?

HOW MUCH LAW IS TOO MUCH? "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you... (Matthew 5:38)
Jesus saw the law as an invitation to be constantly questioning our relationship with other people. He goes on to give a very different interpretation of certain aspects of the law, encouraging people to go beyond the letter of the law and discover the spirit of the law.
Think: Have you ever wanted to take revenge on someone? How does that feel inside?S
Turning the other cheek is a suggestion of how to avoid escalating violence. Is refusing to take revenge a sign of weakness?
Today, punishment is set by society rather than by the victim. What might victims feel about this?
Does the decision not to seek revenge necessarily imply there's been forgiveness? (Naomi Buick, chaplain at Rennes woman's prison(.

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