A Young Lady’s Tale


A policeman brought a young lady to a judge and charged her with speeding along Ayala Avenue in Makati.“Young lady,” barked the magistrate, “this officer tells me you were blazing at 80 kilometers per hour on Ayala Avenue. What can you say about that?”“Your Honor,” replied the accused softly, “The policeman is correct. I violated the law. I am deeply sorry. I promise to reform myself. It will not happen again. Please forgive me.”The judge banged his gavel and ruled, “I fine you 500 pesos for violating the law.” Then, he descended from the rostrum, removed his robe, went to the cashier, pulled out his wallet and paid the fine of 500 pesos. Why did he do that? Because the young, repentant lady who promised to reform her life and who did not have money to pay the fine was his daughter.The judge had to follow the law and punish the traffic violator. He had to let justice be done though the heavens may fall. But because he loved his daughter, he sacrificed his own money and paid the fine.

And so it is with our Father in heaven. He is both the Lord of justice and the Lord of love. Because His people sinned and transgressed His law, He had to render justice and punish them. But because they are His children whom He loved dearly, He sent His only Son to redeem them and save them from their follies, out of His own grace and volition, not out of their worthiness or good deeds. Our Father in heaven is both the Lord of justice and the Lord of love. So must His priests in His church. So must His magistrates in His service.[From the PDI column of Ret. SC Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban]