Advent: Focusing on the Cardinal Virtues at Work - Part 4
(Re-post from 2016)
Continuing with our Advent theme, we begin today with a discussion of the virtue of justice and how this virtue can be applied to our work. We'll begin by considering the phrase "do justice to."
To do justice to someone or something means to treat or present someone or something fairly, adequately, accurately or with full appreciation. To do oneself justice means to act in accordance with one's abilities. Now here's how the Catholic Encyclopedia defines justice:
Justice: a moral quality or habit which perfects the will and inclines it to render to each and to all what belongs to them. Justice teaches us to give to another what belongs to him.
The key phrase here is "what belongs to them." Giving someone what "belongs to them" is a tad stronger than treating them "fairly." When you or I decide to treat someone fairly, we might do so according to what we think is fair. But that won't satisfy the Catholic definition. Real justice doesn't depend on a subjective assessment. We set the bar higher when we insist on rendering to each person what belongs to them. To do that we need an objective standard of some sort, that goes beyond what we happen to think.
Let's try to apply this to our work with an example: how we treat others. whose work is sub-par, or whose behavior creates problems for others in the workplace. f we're in a position to critique or correct another person's work or address some aspect of their behavior that causes problems in the workplace, we need to remember that people are made in the image and likeness of God - all people. Wee should therefore address them with the deference due to them based on that fundamental fact. We do not mock, belittle, bully, or otherwise speak in a disrespectful manner. If we do not act with the appropriate deference, our actions cannot be characterized as "just." Why? Because we do not give them what belongs to them: our fundamental respect and recognition of their dignity as a human being.
We can also apply this standard to our bosses. I've worked for a wide variety over the years - some good, some not so good. In situations where a boss has been overbearing, overweening, obnoxious, or downright nasty, it's sometimes been a struggle not to react to such behavior on a personal level. But I learned to step back and evaluate what "belonged to them," i.e., what they had a perfect right to expect from me during my time on the job. They key here was not to impose my views on the matter, but rather think clearly about what, in justice, I owed them. Do I show up for work on time? Am I prompt in turning in my work, complete, without errors? Do I always apply myself - all my skills and talents - to the work assigned? Will I go the "extra mile" to find solutions to particularly difficult assignments.
Of course, if you're dealing with an individual who's downright abusive, you may want to focus on getting a different job or, in the case of a big company, perhaps a different assignment. Some people you can't please. But if you're simply dealing with a difficult person, you can't use that an excuse not to do your best. You're being paid to do a job: Do it.
When you get into the habit of thinking this way - taking the focus off yourself and your feelings, attending to what you owe to others - you'll find that, over time, you will strengthen your will such that it becomes natural, second nature really, to always give to another what belongs to him. Remember, virtues don't typically just show up one day. They grow in strength as the result of habitually thinking and acting in certain ways. Habit builds virtue.
Contrast this with those who demand justice of others. While it's certainly conceivable that a situation may occur where you are subject to an unjust action, causing you to legitimately seek justice, how often does that really happen? It seems today that a lot of people "demand" justice whenever an outcome doesn't please them. But we've seen that a true understanding of justice focuses our attention on others, specifically on our responsibly attending to what belongs to them. If this understanding motivates us to habitually seek to give to others what belongs to them, we are developing the virtue of justice. And such repeated, habitual thinking and action over time will strengthen our will. The virtue of justice helps us get out of ourselves and our all-too-frequently petty concerns. Eventually, we can learn to simply brush aside those feelings of annoyance, resentment, even anger that frequently arise from being self-centered.
In conclusion, when justice is properly understood and practiced, we "render to each and to all what belongs to them. We become living examples of what St. Ignatius Loyola called "men for others."
Next time we turn to the Cardinal virtue of Fortitude. Meanwhile, through the intercession of Our Lady, whose Immaculate Conception we celebrate today, we'll keep our focus and discipline as we head into the third week of Advent.
Continuing with our Advent theme, we begin today with a discussion of the virtue of justice and how this virtue can be applied to our work. We'll begin by considering the phrase "do justice to."
To do justice to someone or something means to treat or present someone or something fairly, adequately, accurately or with full appreciation. To do oneself justice means to act in accordance with one's abilities. Now here's how the Catholic Encyclopedia defines justice:
Justice: a moral quality or habit which perfects the will and inclines it to render to each and to all what belongs to them. Justice teaches us to give to another what belongs to him.
The key phrase here is "what belongs to them." Giving someone what "belongs to them" is a tad stronger than treating them "fairly." When you or I decide to treat someone fairly, we might do so according to what we think is fair. But that won't satisfy the Catholic definition. Real justice doesn't depend on a subjective assessment. We set the bar higher when we insist on rendering to each person what belongs to them. To do that we need an objective standard of some sort, that goes beyond what we happen to think.
Let's try to apply this to our work with an example: how we treat others. whose work is sub-par, or whose behavior creates problems for others in the workplace. f we're in a position to critique or correct another person's work or address some aspect of their behavior that causes problems in the workplace, we need to remember that people are made in the image and likeness of God - all people. Wee should therefore address them with the deference due to them based on that fundamental fact. We do not mock, belittle, bully, or otherwise speak in a disrespectful manner. If we do not act with the appropriate deference, our actions cannot be characterized as "just." Why? Because we do not give them what belongs to them: our fundamental respect and recognition of their dignity as a human being.
We can also apply this standard to our bosses. I've worked for a wide variety over the years - some good, some not so good. In situations where a boss has been overbearing, overweening, obnoxious, or downright nasty, it's sometimes been a struggle not to react to such behavior on a personal level. But I learned to step back and evaluate what "belonged to them," i.e., what they had a perfect right to expect from me during my time on the job. They key here was not to impose my views on the matter, but rather think clearly about what, in justice, I owed them. Do I show up for work on time? Am I prompt in turning in my work, complete, without errors? Do I always apply myself - all my skills and talents - to the work assigned? Will I go the "extra mile" to find solutions to particularly difficult assignments.
Of course, if you're dealing with an individual who's downright abusive, you may want to focus on getting a different job or, in the case of a big company, perhaps a different assignment. Some people you can't please. But if you're simply dealing with a difficult person, you can't use that an excuse not to do your best. You're being paid to do a job: Do it.
When you get into the habit of thinking this way - taking the focus off yourself and your feelings, attending to what you owe to others - you'll find that, over time, you will strengthen your will such that it becomes natural, second nature really, to always give to another what belongs to him. Remember, virtues don't typically just show up one day. They grow in strength as the result of habitually thinking and acting in certain ways. Habit builds virtue.
Contrast this with those who demand justice of others. While it's certainly conceivable that a situation may occur where you are subject to an unjust action, causing you to legitimately seek justice, how often does that really happen? It seems today that a lot of people "demand" justice whenever an outcome doesn't please them. But we've seen that a true understanding of justice focuses our attention on others, specifically on our responsibly attending to what belongs to them. If this understanding motivates us to habitually seek to give to others what belongs to them, we are developing the virtue of justice. And such repeated, habitual thinking and action over time will strengthen our will. The virtue of justice helps us get out of ourselves and our all-too-frequently petty concerns. Eventually, we can learn to simply brush aside those feelings of annoyance, resentment, even anger that frequently arise from being self-centered.
In conclusion, when justice is properly understood and practiced, we "render to each and to all what belongs to them. We become living examples of what St. Ignatius Loyola called "men for others."
Next time we turn to the Cardinal virtue of Fortitude. Meanwhile, through the intercession of Our Lady, whose Immaculate Conception we celebrate today, we'll keep our focus and discipline as we head into the third week of Advent.
Divine Infant of Bethlehem
Come and take birth in our hearts!
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