Is God’s Law a Tough Call 4 All in Les Misérables?

Letter to Romans: July 14^th being Bastille Day I watched Les Misérables & raveled in Hugo’s ode to everyman’s redemption via the crucified Christ. Yet, I was also struck by his seldom mentioned reminder man-made law is a part of Creation’s deal. Today’s radicals might take heed.

Recall the novel’s backdrop of the French Revolution (and aftermath) that was launched heralding the “Rights of Man” but morphed into a Reign of Terror as thousands were guillotined without trial or mercy. Later on, Inspector Javert was a Robespierre-like character who was obsessed with earthly law, & its enforcement, even the warped variety, no matter the ameliorating circumstances. And that’s why he for decades hounded the redeemed Jean Valjean. He wound up imprisoned for 19 years after stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving family. As if that weren’t enough, Valjean was branded a “dangerous person” for the remainder of his life. The inspector gave not a wit that an embittered Valjean would himself be transformed despite it all by the kindness of the Bishop of Digne who showed him what divine love, mercy, and law was like … Valjean’d dedicate his future in giving his newfound unconditional love to raising the orphan Cosette.

It's a wonderful tale embodying the notion that “To love another person is to see the face of God.” Mercy & justice surely go hand in hand. Yet, we read daily how today’s cynical world is weaponizing even religion itself; and even literary critics seem to ignore Hugo’s parallel belief in the Rule of Law. Cosette’s idealistic suitor Marius may have joined the radical Jacobins’ street uprising upon the death of General Lamarc, but the French army gave him & his fellow revolutionaries ample chance to lay down their arms. “Why throw your lives away?” they are asked. Then, before saving Marius, Valjean spares Javert’s life. When later captured, Valjean acknowledges his inevitable return to jail for having jumped bail years earlier. Javert doesn’t get it. But Valjean did. He now understood both God’s divine law of love & Jesus’s reminder of the cosmic obligation to “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s.”

Davd Soul