October 14, 2005
Bishop John T. Steinbock
The book of Isaiah in the Old Testament is a rather complicated book. It actually has three authors spread out over 200 years. The first part of Isaiah, the first 39 chapters, were written by Isaiah himself who lived some 700 years before Christ, and he emphasizes the sinfulness of God’s people and their need of salvation. Chapters 40 through 57 were written some two hundred years later, after the Babylonian Captivity, and speaks of God’s love for his people and the Messiah who was to come. This is the section where we find the suffering servant who will take our sins upon himself and die for us. The third section (chapters 58 through 66), was written later by a third writer, and speaks of the future glory to come for God’s people.
The first reading we heard at Mass today comes at the beginning of this third section. The emphasis of the whole chapter is that if we are to please God, fasting and prayer must lead one to practice social justice. “…this rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the throngs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own. Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wounds shall quickly be healed.”
Every person involved with the legal profession, and working in government, is meant to work for justice in this world. It is the work, especially of lawyers, judges, politicians and governmental employees, to try to lead our legal and legislative systems to reflect truth and seek to bring about justice for all the parties involved, especially caring for the poor and for those without a voice in our society.
To do this, all of you are called to be men and women of integrity, of seeking always and speaking always the truth, making every effort to seek that the rights of all parties are preserved and respected.
Our Lord Jesus in the beatitudes gives us the way to be men and women of integrity, combined with compassion and understanding, as he gives Himself as the model for our lives. He invites us all to become like him: poor in spirit, meek, merciful, seeking to be peace makers, hungering after righteousness and being pure in heart, which really means being sincere and honest in our dealings. He also calls upon us to be willing to be persecuted and condemned for seeking truth and justice.
We live in a world where so many people are led by materialistic values, influenced by a secularistic world, where ethics and morals are relative and where the end justifies the means. People led by these false values live in darkness and will never be able to build up a world of justice and love. I encourage all of you who are present for this Red Mass today, reflect on the great calling you have received in Christ—through your vocation to bring the light of Christ’s truth and justice and love to this world. Thank you for all you do for our community, because without your roles, there could be no hope to live in justice and peace. God bless you all.