Jinxed Universe

When I am asked what my favorite movies are. A gruesome list of revenge, torture and justice is administered to those who are asking. As I have recognized this strange trait I have found that all these shows have one common aspect, JUSTICE.

I have found that I enjoy knowing that someone "gets" what they deserve. That may sound cruel to many of my readers. But, it is because of you that I am driven to such thoughts. How many times in our society today does someone escape the grasps of Justice to the arms of Mercy?

To clearly understand this topic of Justice and Mercy we need to understand how they work. For the basis of this topic I will reference President Packer's parable. In this parable a debtor argues with a creditor for mercy in his debt and in this argument we can see the definition of these two forces.

“[T]he day came, and the contract fell due. The debt had not been fully paid. His creditor appeared and demanded payment in full.

“Only then did he realize that his creditor not only had the power to repossess all that he owned, but the power to cast him into prison as well.

“ ‘I cannot pay you, for I have not the power to do so,’ he confessed.

“ ‘Then,’ said the creditor, ‘we will exercise the contract, take your possessions, and you shall go to prison. You agreed to that. It was your choice. You signed the contract, and now it must be enforced.’

“ ‘Can you not extend the time or forgive the debt?’ the debtor begged. ‘Arrange some way for me to keep what I have and not go to prison. Surely you believe in mercy? Will you not show mercy?’

“The creditor replied, ‘Mercy is always so one-sided. It would serve only you. If I show mercy to you, it will leave me unpaid. It is justice I demand. Do you believe in justice?’

“ ‘I believed in justice when I signed the contract,’ the debtor said. ‘It was on my side then, for I thought it would protect me. I did not need mercy then, nor think I should need it ever. Justice, I thought, would serve both of us equally as well.’

“ ‘It is justice that demands that you pay the contract or suffer the penalty,’ the creditor replied. ‘That is the law. You have agreed to it and that is the way it must be. Mercy cannot rob justice.’

As the final statement says, "Mercy cannot rob Justice." So, when there is a law, there is a consequence to the violation of that law. If those consequences are not met, Justice is not served and the demands of Justice will still be in place. When those in authority try to provide mercy to the masses, we are short changing Justice and its demands are yet unfulfilled.

As the TV screens have been filled with the drama of Lindsay Lohan and her run in with the law. She was sentenced for 90 day to jail. But, she only served 14 of those 90 day and was released because of her good behavior and prison overcrowding. Were the demands of Justice served? No, Justice demanded 90 days in jail. But, Mercy was shown because of her good behavior. So, in effect, Mercy just robbed Justice.

The only true way that both the demands of Justice and Mercy can be fulfilled is through a Mediator. Sound familiar? Once a Mediator steps in, then both demands can be fulfilled.

Once a Mediator stepped in on the parable, “Both laws stood fulfilled. Because there was a mediator, justice had claimed its full share, and mercy was fully satisfied.”

All too often we forget about Justice. Especially in today's society. How many times do we see parents, governments, teachers, etc. making excuses for others and robbing Justice? Part of Justice is that we see our faults and that we have done wrong. If we never feel the demands of Justice, how do we ever grow to with stand the troubles of life?

For many of you who are wondering what these movies I love to watch are, here is a brief list.
The Count of Monte Cristo
Taken
Shooter
Dirty Harry
Death Wish