"It is plain," said Conchobar: "henceforth everyone will have a share [in judging]; except for what pertains properly to them therein, it will not fall to their lot. Each will take his own portions of it."

  - Anonymous, The Pseudo-Historical Prologue to the Senchas Mar (Irish, 9th century)

"Justice, and only justice, you shall follow..."

  - Deuteronomy 16.20

Prior to Patrick's coming to Ireland, matters of justice were in the hands of an elite cadre of politicos, magicians, and artists. When something had to be decided in a tribe or community, these were the groups to whom folk could appeal.

But much of the time these three different groups could not agree, explains the anonymous author of our text. Indeed, the princes seem to have had an especially difficult time making sense of whatever the poets were trying to say (what else is new?). But the poets were the most highly esteemed class in pre-Christian Irish society. So justice, as we can imagine, was not always what we might call, just.

After Patrick people began to understand that the teaching of the Scriptures contained more wisdom and common sense than the ad hoc judgments of the elite rulers. Those who came to possess "the white language" - the Scriptures - were seen to be wiser than those who did not.

And, increasingly, people up and down the social strata, as they became Christians and began to learn the Scriptures, were showing themselves to be capable of rendering sound judgment in all kinds of situations.

Consequently, in time, all the laws of Ireland were collected and scrutinized by Christian leaders, and made to conform to the teaching of God's Word. The Senchas Mar or great tradition of Irish laws, was brought under the light of Scripture, which became the final bar of appeal in matters of justice thereafter.

As a result, "each of the men of Ireland took his own portioin of judgment." That is, justice became the responsibility of all members of Irish society - both living justly and helping others to determine just courses of action. Princes still ruled, but the magicians were replaced by priests and theologians, and the poets, while they continued to enjoy a significant role in Irish Christian society, were no longer able to vex people with their "dark words."

Justice, according to the Law of God, is the duty of all the people of God, especially those in leadership roles. Justice is simply the character of God expressed in human situations. Justice is the other side of the coin of righteousness. Righteous is what we are to become; justice is what we do when we are righteous.

Jesus Christ is the embodiment of justice and righteousness. So the better we know Him, and the more closely we walk with Him, the more His righteousness will fill and transform us, enabling us to follow justice and only justice in all our affairs.

A corrupt society is not corrupt because its leaders are corrupt. It is corrupt because its people do not practice justice. If we want a just society, where righteousness obtains, then we must give more attention to being righteous and living in justice toward our neighbors.

During the Celtic revival, our forebears in the faith rose to this challenge, and they changed their world.

Whether we will follow in their footsteps remains to be seen.

T. M. Moore, Principal

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