EDITORIAL | KAIROS GLOBAL | MAY 2022

Author: Dr. Chackochan J Njavallil

Am I Just

I was just looking for a definition of justice and found this one. ‘Justice means giving each person what he or she deserves’ or, in more traditional terms, giving each person his or her due. Justice and fairness are closely related terms that are often used interchangeably. It made me reflect upon some of my own and a few others’ experiences.

He was fuming, furious, upset and irritated. Why? He felt that the work he had so done sincerely had gone unnoticed and unappreciated. 

She was outraged at the treatment meted out to her by the police officer, and would have even retaliated physically, had it been possible. It was an injustice to her for a police officer to behave like that in such a situation.

The girl was very angry towards her parents for she thought they unjustifiably discriminated against her siblings. 

It was a very lucrative job but he was rejected in the final round for reasons beyond merit, and that grieved. 

We can recount umpteen number of occasions where either we or people close to us have experienced situations of injustice. As a result we become angry, uncomfortable, want to fight, retaliate, and wait for an opportunity to take revenge, etc. 

But on the other hand, very often we forget to ask ourselves a question. Are we just in our actions and responses towards incidents, situations, and approaches in our lives? 

Am I a just person?

Is there anybody who would want to shout at our face, decrying our injustice?

Another question to ask ourselves is, how far are we willing to ensure that justice is done in the case of others’ lives? How far we are willing to suffer, sacrifice, endure pain, and fight for justice in others’ lives? 

Are you usually a punctual person? Do you keep your promises and appointments? Are you concerned about avoiding wastage of resources like water, electricity, etc., which also can be considered as simple expressions of rendering justice?

This issue of Kairos Global presents you with different perspectives about justice. Our sincere hope is that it will help make this world more just as we often pray, Thy Kingdom Come.