The essence of gospel

"Our justice system demands that judgement be imposed, but compassion be available." Kenny MacAskill Justice Minister Scottish Government

With the freeing of the man who is known as the Lockerbie Bomber it does focus us, if we wish it to, on what compassion is and what punishment is. Biblically when we talk of punishment, it is always remedial. Eternal punishment is an oxymoron because punishment as God applies it is there to show us the error of our ways and set us on a better path. To punish someone eternally defeats the purpose of punishment.

There also seems to be a cultural difference too however, where some need the perpetrator to die without having freedom, a punishment that fits the loss of those families who have been hurt and have lost someone. Others, according to Mr MacAskill, "pride themselves on their humanity. It is viewed as a defining characteristic. The perpetration of an atrocity and outrage cannot and should not be a basis for losing sight of who we are, the values we seek to uphold, and the faith and beliefs by which we seek to live."

I think in many ways this is a defining moment. It is certainly a faith moment for me where compassion and hurt meet and the choice made in undoing the tangle illustrates who we really are deep down.

Ian Galloway convenor of the  Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland always hits the nail on the head for me: "But to them [families of the PanAm victims] I would say justice is not lost in acting in mercy. Instead our deepest humanity is expressed for the better. To choose mercy is the tough choice and today our nation met that challenge."

The essence of gospel.

That may not work for many people. I understand it may not work for many who are directly affected. I remember the night it happened, I remember watching the TV news unfolding at 9 o'clock that night. But I don't know how it feels for families who lost people. So I'll never say, in the eyes of those involved, what happened today will ever be understood as the 'right' decision.

But our values and principles and law and morals ought not be worked out when you are steeped in the hurt. We work those things out as community in the cold light of day. Nor is it a majority decision but a decision that wants to create the best of humanity and shapes a redeeming pathway for the worst of humanity.

To choose to show mercy to those who hurt you is the defining moment of gospel. Perhaps for a moment we have done that.