From the Vicarage - February 2012

THE PURSUIT OF JUSTICE

STEPHEN LAWRENCE

It is remarkable that after 18 years, two of the murderers of Stephen Lawrence have at last been brought to justice. There is no doubt, that without the determination of the Lawrence family these two men would never have been convicted. After the failure of the first trial, one wonders at the courage and faith of the Lawrence family to pursue justice. There must have been times when it seemed an impossible hope. As Doreen Lawrence said following the trial, this will not bring her son back. But it does confront two of his killers with the reality of their crime. Hopefully, the others involved will in time also be brought to justice.

A GOD OF JUSTICE

One of the things we learn about the nature of God from the Old Testament, is that he is a God of justice. In the very first pages of Genesis, we see the consequences of our fallen humanity. Cain murders his brother Abel. And Cain is told “The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground” And so we learn this important Biblical insight. Because God is all holy, he cannot stand by unmoved when human beings inflict violence upon each other. It matters to God.  That is why justice is an important concept in the Scriptures. Justice is about much more than punishment and revenge. It is about exposing evil deeds and making the guilty face up to the evil they have done. One of the shocking things about the men found guilty of the murder of Stephen Lawrence, is that they seem to show no remorse for what they have done.

WAR CRIMES

The pursuit of justice is so ingrained in the Judeo-Christian consciousness, that there are still people being pursued for war crimes from the Second World War. It can, of course, be very difficult to obtain a conviction for events that took place more than 65 years ago. But such is the enormity of the crimes, particularly in relation to the Holocaust, that huge energy and resources have been spent bringing the guilty to justice. The War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague continues to prosecute those charged with more recent outrages.

JUSTICE IN SOCIETY

As many have observed, the Stephen Lawrence Enquiry made many British institutions face up to the injustices in society. It was recognized that a failure to convict the killers of Stephen Lawrence was itself a grave injustice. But it was also recognized that there was a pervasive and insidious injustice in the some of our most important institutions. The police were charged with “institutional racism” But this charge caused many other institutions to take a long hard look at themselves. In education, the NHS, the Armed Forces, and even in the Church, it was recognized how easily racist attitudes can almost unconsciously influence events and decisions.

THE PROPHETS

 If we look again at the Old Testament, we see how the prophets showed that you cannot love God, unless you are concerned for how human beings are treated. It is not enough just to get the Temple rituals right. Alongside that must go an active concern for the welfare of people.  Jesus summed up the Jewish Law as love for God and love for neighbour. They were inseparable. But love for neighbour cannot be a vague sentimental thing. It must include an awareness of the forces at work in society, which demean and injure men and women and children. It calls for the courage to speak out and challenge all that threatens human dignity. The prophets summed up what God in his holiness asks of us:

“What does the Lord require of you,

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?”

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

THE POWER OF PRAYER

At the time of writing I am recovering from surgery on my vocal chords, which took place at the Royal Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital in London. Though the fourth and relatively minor operation I have had over the last few months, I was particularly conscious of all the prayers that were being offered for me. I know that I have been surrounded by prayer since my brain tumour was first diagnosed, and I was particularly moved to know that a day of prayer was held at  All Saints’ on the day of the biggest operation. It was pleasing to learn that friends from “Churches Together in Maldon” also took part, along with others from the town.

BEING ON THE RECEIVING END

Throughout my ministry is has been part of my daily pattern as a priest to pray for others. I have prayed for countless people who were ill, bereaved, or in need. But this has been the first time in my life that I have been conscious of being on the receiving end of so many prayers: and it has been overwhelming. I know that many of you have been praying for me, together with others in every parish I have served. I have been in the daily prayers at Westminster Abbey (name dropping!); I have had a Roman Catholic Mass said for me, and have even been remembered in the prayers of a Synagogue! I have had e-mails from people I have not seen for many years assuring me of their prayers. It has made me realise that the power of prayer is very real. I have felt surrounded and supported by all this prayer and love that has been offered for me.

THE POINT OF PRAYER

I am sure, like many of you, as I have prayed for the sick over the years, I have wrestled with a big question. Why have some been healed, and many others not received healing?

I do not have an answer to this question. I do not know myself whether I will be sufficiently healed to resume my ministry here in Maldon. My prayer is that I will: but the future is still not clear. But whatever the future holds, I know that all those prayers have been so important for me. It was Archbishop Michael Ramsey who described intercessory prayer as “being with God, with the needs of people on your heart.” When we pray for others, we are lifting up into the presence of God, knowing that he will meet them at the point of their deepest need. We do not try to dictate to God what he should do: we simply leave those for whom we pray in his presence. I have felt so strongly that sense of being lifted up into the presence of God by all your prayers. And whatever the future holds for me, I feel a renewed sense of the importance of praying for others. This is something we can all share in: being in God’s presence with the needs of people on our hearts. And this is perhaps the most important witness that our church, standing at the very heart of the town, can offer. May we be a place and a community of prayer, lifting up many people into the presence of God; and thereby assuring them of the peace and love of God.       

Stephen Carter