Breaking the Chains of Violence

The Tears of Things

A Path to Restorative Justice and Freedom

In our journey toward deeper understanding and spiritual growth, we must begin by reconsidering the frameworks we've been taught to value, particularly when it comes to justice. Many of us have been raised in systems where the balance of justice is based on a rigid punishment-and-reward structure, one that aligns more with worldly success than spiritual truth. We live in a society that values outward achievement, and in doing so, we fail to cultivate the wisdom that lies within. "Constant success does not teach you much that is helpful in terms of the less visible world." [1] (Matthew 6:19-21). External success may bring accolades, but it often leaves us spiritually barren. True wisdom emerges not from external validation, but from the humbling experience of failure and inner challenge. These are the moments when we are forced to look deeper, to question the surface-level narratives we have accepted, and to realize that spiritual growth is an internal process, one that does not follow the linear paths of conventional success. When we break away from this system of reward and punishment, we invite a deeper kind of justice—one that does not measure worth based on merit, but instead on the well-being and dignity of every individual, regardless of their success or failure in worldly terms. (Luke 18:14)

Moreover, this pattern of constant success, often celebrated in worldly terms, leaves little room for growth in the deeper aspects of life. We may achieve all that we set out to do, but in doing so, we often neglect the inner journey that is truly transformative. (James 1:9-12). The pursuit of success, with its external markers, cannot lead us to the wisdom that comes from navigating life's inner complexities. Only by embracing failure, by allowing ourselves to feel the discomfort of not being in control, do we create the fertile ground necessary for true self-realization. When we let go of the need for outward validation, we begin to open ourselves to something far more meaningful—the deep, inner wisdom that speaks to our true nature, one that transcends the temporary rewards of this world. (Philippians 3:7-8)

Spiritual growth, then, is a cyclical process that requires us to embrace both order and disorder. We cannot reach higher levels of consciousness without first grounding ourselves in a stable understanding of the world. "We must first honor the plank of order, next walk the plank that is always disorder, and only then fall into the ocean of infinite everything." [1] (Romans 8:28). This journey requires us to first build a foundation of order, a sense of stability that helps us navigate the turbulence of life. But stability alone is not enough. We must also walk through disorder, embracing the chaos and unpredictability that life inevitably brings. Only through this passage—through the tension between what we know and what we do not—can we ultimately fall into the infinite ocean of interconnectedness, where the boundaries between self and other dissolve. This is where true transformation happens. It's in the disorienting moments, the chaotic spaces, where we are most likely to discover new truths about ourselves and the world around us. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Once we begin to understand this process, we must also reframe our understanding of justice. For too long, justice has been synonymous with punishment. Our culture tells us that when wrong is done, retribution is necessary. Yet, a deeper sense of justice calls us to transcend this punitive mindset and embrace a restorative one. "Let’s just move entirely beyond any notion of retribution or punishment, he joyously promises, as the frame for how God’s justice is done!" [1] (Romans 12:19). True justice does not seek to balance the scales by punishing the wrongdoer, but instead works to restore harmony and healing. It recognizes the inherent dignity of every individual, even those who have caused harm. When we move beyond retribution, we allow ourselves to fully embrace compassion and forgiveness, inviting a transformative healing that transcends human-made systems of punishment. This kind of justice is not about winning or losing but about the restoration of all parties involved. (Matthew 5:38-39)

There is also a prophetic dimension to this journey of transformation. Prophets are those who see through the illusion of power and privilege, and they speak truth to systems that perpetuate injustice. "Only someone who himself has been marginalized or silenced knows how really unfair the rules, expectations, and boundaries of any empire are." [1] (Isaiah 58:6-7). Those who have been oppressed or marginalized possess a unique understanding of the systems that govern us. They are often the ones who can most clearly see the inherent injustice in societal structures because they have experienced it firsthand. Their voices are the ones that need to be amplified, for they challenge the status quo and offer a vision of a more equitable world. It is these voices that can lead us to a deeper understanding of justice, one that transcends the limited perspectives of those in power. (Luke 4:18-19)

As we move toward justice, we also need to rethink our relationship with loyalty and control. In many cases, loyalty to people or institutions becomes a form of co-dependency, keeping us stuck in unhealthy patterns. "Loyalty is actually a form of co-dependency, giving us a warped sense of control and safety, while love is a dive into perfect freedom." [1] (John 8:36). True love, in its purest form, requires a dive into freedom. It is not about maintaining control or adhering to rigid structures; rather, it is about embracing the freedom to love without conditions, without expectation, and without the need for loyalty to systems that do not serve the well-being of all. When we let go of loyalty to these systems, we free ourselves to experience love in its fullest, most transformative form—a love that is not bound by the rules of the world, but instead flows freely, guided by compassion and understanding. (Galatians 5:13)

Our work, then, is to break through the false logic that has held us captive for generations. "Such false logic must be broken again in every new generation." [1] (Romans 12:2). This logic tells us that we must follow the rules, conform to the expectations, and accept the status quo. But this logic is flawed. It is built on a foundation that is unsustainable, and it must be deconstructed if we are to build a new world based on true justice, love, and freedom. This task falls upon each new generation to challenge the outdated paradigms of their predecessors, to break free from the cycles of oppression, and to create new systems of understanding that honor the dignity and worth of all beings. It is a daunting task, but one that is essential for the creation of a just and compassionate world. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

[1] Richard Rohr, The Tears of Things