Twelve Royal Teams

Who have helped "plow the furrow" of my life (to use Silf's metaphor taken from I Kings 19:19)?

My parents
Close friends
Teachers
Pastors
Authors
Key events
The Church
Christ in the Eucharist! :)

How have they been instruments of God?

Mostly through the good example of their lives, and their generous ways of nurturing my spirit through specific growth-producing challenges to specific aspects of myself in need of development.

I am mostly motivated by love: life-giving challenges and mercy, and when I am led, it is because I am willing to follow good example.

No wonder I'm a teacher.

How can I use this perception to help me love others better?

Reference: Silf, Inner Compass, Chapter 3 "Finding Our Past in God"

Question about Justice

When someone hurts or harms you, it seems like (at least at some point) one of two things should happen:  either seek justice or offer mercy.  It might be possible to do both in many cases, especially if justice can be done in a fairly timely fashion.

But if much time has passed, and the one harmed has been experiencing healing through God, or anything better than worldly justice, then it might be the only thing left (of benefit to the one injured) is to offer mercy.

The issue for society remains: should there be "justice" (consequences/ restitution) for society at large even if the particular injured doesn't need it?

Is "justice" ever just punishment?  If so, is it really just?