Searching for paths to social justice is placing oneself within the reality of so many people who cry out for it. Only a new and renewed society will be able to work and offer it as the fruit of its conquest. And it is in our environment and society that transformation is required, a change of mentality so that the heart becomes sensitive, supportive and fraternal.
We ask ourselves: What is social justice and what is its importance?
Social justice is a value that promotes equal respect for the rights and obligations of every human being in any given society. This day was established by the United Nations (UN) as a way to commemorate and ensure this fundamental social value. Hence its importance because we easily commit acts of injustice that bring suffering and pain to other human beings. We will always have to condemn actions that harm the rights of others and have the courage to denounce these injustices and promote human rights in the environment.
Speaking of justice refers me to one of the values of the Kingdom of God, when Jesus himself says, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his justice and all things will be added to you” (Mt. 6, 33). “Seek” makes us think of something lost, and recognizes God’s goodness towards all human beings, who suffer in their own flesh the violation of their rights, to life, freedom, peace and justice. Something lost must be found, rewarded and given to those who need it and ask for it.
Justice and migrants go hand in hand, because they, in their search for a better life, encounter the most terrible situations of pain and suffering, whether for political, socioeconomic, cultural, family reasons, natural disasters, armed conflicts in their countries. They run the risk of losing their lives in their long and horrifying journeys through the desert, on the train and when arriving at the different towns or cities. They ask for justice, because they are vulnerable, they are marginalized, excluded, treated like delinquents, poor and in many cases like criminals.
How can we bet our life and mission on this cause, that justice goes hand in hand with the migrant? For this cause, we must urgently demand that our shelters for migrants remain open, to care for, protect, accompany, guarantee the wellbeing and safety of migrants, who are exposed to extortion, abuse by police authorities, violence, kidnapping, death, COVID infection and others hostilities. It is a duty of justice to know how to establish a dialogue with whomever is on the other side.
God wants all women and men to be saved, that everyone participate in his justice, goodness and mercy. Practicing justice is what God insists on. Not only practicing justice but loving mercy and walking in humility with God (Micah 6, 8). God calls us to practice justice and love mercy.
The longing for justice becomes especially intense when it becomes hope and goes hand in hand with the needy and vulnerable poor, such as a migrant.