like many people, i've been following the story of stanley 'tookie' williams who is scheduled to be killed by lethal injection by the state of california early tomorrow morning.
i understand that i'm opening a large can of worms by speaking about the death penalty and about this case in particular, but i have felt for a long time that the death penalty is a mistake for the theological reason that it takes the ultimate judgment out of gods hands into our own. that, i take it, is the sentiment of this michael braden's sign below
photo by ann johansson for the new york times
yet increasingly, i think from a human point of view our typical language for talking about what the death penalty accomplishes is bankrupt. this is typical:
"the lead prosecutor, john monaghan, los angeles deputy district attorney, said the evidence in this case is truly overwhelming. the murders were senseless, very brutal, and mr. williams should pay the ultimate penalty for his crimes."
so that is one typical way of saying it: ultimate penalty. or ultimate justice, that's another way of saying it. is it? in what sense is it the ultimate penalty? does it resolve the question of our society's fearfulness of crime? does it resolve the sadness of the family whose loved ones are gone?
according to a new york times article today, wayne owens, 55, the older brother of albert owens, one of the men mr. williams was convicted of killing during a robbery of a 7-eleven store in los angeles, said in a telephone interview from his home in olathe, kansas, that he was opposed to the death penalty but that he would support it in this case unless he could be assured that Mr. Williams would never be freed. "whichever way it come out, it will be a sad day," mr. owens said. "it is the ultimate no-win situation. if he gets clemency, there will be sorrow about his clemency. if he does not, it will be too bad that his life is lost."
that seems more nearly the case--that our justice is ambiguous and stilted, and there is not a resolution neatly provided by some 'ultimate penalty'.
although i didn't go this direction yesterday in my sermon, i thought so much about this case and about the death penalty in particular as i studied and then prepared a sermon on this text for yesterday:
Isaiah
61:1 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; God has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners;
61:2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
61:3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion-- to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display the glory of the Lord.
while i don't know if mr. williams should ever be released from prison, it seems that he has in some sense found release from his past through his writing and advocacy on behalf of the good of children who potentially could be drawn into gangs. i don't know if mr. williams has found this liberty through faith but the words of jesus spring to mind in this case: by their fruits you shall know them.
anon, and peace
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