I’ve noticed that a strong sense of fairness is closely connected with my sense of self. This observation seems supported by people like Lawrence Kohlberg and his successors who maintain that fairness is the basic moral sense and stance of most human persons. When I watch animal shows, I wonder if fairness is even rooted in the territoriality of our animal heritage? Fairness is a good thing, but Jesus calls us beyond fairness. And my strong sense of fairness causes me to resist that call! Why should I be loving toward someone who has done me wrong? Why should I be respectful to someone who disrespects me? Why should I be generous toward someone who takes advantage of me? Why should I help a person who never thinks about helping me? Why should I listen to and speak with someone who ignores me? It’s not fair! This week we are going to hear all this challenged in our Hebrew Scripture reading as David spares Saul’s life, even though Saul was trying to kill him. And then in our Gospel, Jesus gives example after example as he teaches his disciples how to “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” We are called to go beyond fairness to generosity and forgiveness because that’s how God is, God who is part of our very selves. It takes a lifetime of grace and response to do this!
– Blog entry by Sister Mary Garascia