"That isn't fair!"

How many times have we heard children say - "That's not fair!" They've gotten themselves into some sort of confrontation with their brother or sister or some issue on the playground, the parent or teacher comes over and proposes a solution, they don't like it or go into the, "He started it," mode, then proclaim the solution proposed, isn't fair.

Well, lets think about ourselves as adults. The "isn't fair" attitude does not suddenly mature by the age of twelve. I don't think we ever grow out of the, "That isn't fair" perspective. The difference is that we adults are far more complex and imaginative in our sense of what is fair and just. The kids are basically black and white. What they see is what they perceive as "fair." We adults find other ways to express our displeasure with a solution: we will sue for "emotional damage;" we will label and judge another's character as less than admirable; we will create scenarios that stretch the truth; we, and this is a biggie - engage in passive aggressive behavior. This one drives me crazy because it is so confusing and hurtful to the other person - the target of our contempt. I will passively appear to have no problem with you but I will give you the cold shoulder, the silent treatment, and when you're not looking, I will take any opportunity to disparage your reputation. It's an awful way to treat eachother but it is rampant and more typical in marriage, in places of employment, and believe it or not, in Church ministry at times. When I find myself going this way, I need to slap myself, work up courage and face the other person - stop pouting over hurt feelings.

Why all this talk about unforgiveness? Because this morning's reading from the prophet Isaiah and Matthew's Gospel speak of God's unfailing and more than we deserve, mercy. Isaiah relates, "If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed . . . he shall live . . . God does not . . .derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked . . . but rather rejoices when he turns from his evil way that he may live . . ."

I venture to say - "That's not fair!" Why doesn't God bring fire and brimstone on my enemies? They don't deserve forgiveness after what they've done! God's justice is not our justice - thank God! This is not a God who is fair because if he was like us, no one would have a chance and the road to salvation would be smaller than the needles' eye - no Camel could even get his hoof inside the crack.

So, Jesus adds, "Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Scribes and the Pharisees, you will not inherit the Kingdom of God . . ." Well, we know how Jesus felt about the Pharisees - no passive aggressive behavior there - he gave it to them face to face. Not because they were Pharisees or Scribes but because they were play acting: pretending to be something they were not. Presenting a facade of religiosity that deceived the people into thinking they were something they weren't. They were not a momentary lapse in discretion or a temporary lapse in dishonesty - these guys, though not all of them, were living a grand lie and in that way deeply offended the justice of God and his people. They were anything but fair.

Where that leaves any of us, I feel, is to accept the fact and to give thanks that the justice (what is fair or not fair) of God is way beyond what we think is just. God's cosmic justice, in the end, will make all things right but for now - we can only come to him with gratitude and humility in our hearts. To treat our fellow brothers and sisters with anything less is indeed to say, "That isn't fair!"