The Bible talks alot about justice and how we need to live in a just world.  I am sure that there are doctoral dissertations written about the subject but how can I live this out?  How can I show compassion, grace and love while at the same time live in a just society?

This came to my mind recently after our car was broken into.  They stole my sirius satellite radio, my bluetooth headset and my wallet.  Nothing too precious that I can’t replace (but a big inconvenience on my wallet), but I was rightfully upset.  I called the Sheriffs office to report it and they came and wrote up a nice report for my insurance company and then he had me sign a paper.  I was not sure that I was prepared for this — but it was a paper saying that when caught I would like the individuals arrested for what they did.  I took a step back…..was I really prepared for this?  Did I want someone to be put into jail on my account?  Especially if I recieved the items back…..

I signed the paper because I would like to seek justice and by all accounts from what I was told it was a group of kids doing this and they would most likely recieve a slap on the wrist for their crimes.  But it started to make me think.
The ELCA is coming out with a new social statement in 2013 on criminal justice.  I have applied to be on this task force because it is something that I am interested in.  I am not sure how many pastors they are taking and I am sure there are many more qualified people who can serve but throughout my ministry this will be an important topic for me.  For the most part as Lutherans I think we are scared to talk about these issues, we live in a world where we preach Law and Gospel — so how do we handle the gospel when we are dealing with someone who broke the law and does not show remorse?  Of course theologically we will still love them and we will reassure them of God’s love — but is there something else?  Is there something missing from the conversation that we need to include?

There is something facisinating to me about the criminial mind – for me it is a mix of theological, moral, ethical, and psychological issues mixed perhaps with some issues around the nature of evil in the human spirit.  Perhaps I can find time in the months and years to come to explore this alittle deeper and I can find opportunities as a church (both St. Marks and the church at large) to help educate and stimulate interest in others.