Les Miserables
Session 4 - Jalvert
Luke 17.10
So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.”’
Duty to the law
Watch the section showing the confrontation between Javert and Valjean following on from Fantine's death in the sanatorium, starting 'Valjean, at last' until Valjean's escape.
Cardinal Newman is famous for saying, "To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.”
Javert believes that neither he nor Valjean can change.
Think about change and how far it is possible. Is Javert right?
How does Valjean's sense of justice conflict with that of Javert?
The way of the Lord?
Watch the scene from when Valjean and Cosette arrive at the north gate of Paris until the end of Javert's solo set against the night sky of Paris.
We have already considered 'righteousness' when thinking about Fantine.
What is Javert's understanding of righteousness? Look at Psalm 1 again.
Genesis 3.19
By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
and to dust you will return.
Discussion
This verse has become part of the Ash Wednesday liturgy for the imposition of ashes. Does this verse encapsulate Javert's belief? Where does his understanding fall short? How do we respond to Javert's sentiment that those who falter and fall should pay the price?
Reflection
Javert remains confident in his world-view until he is faced with the forgiveness of his adversary, and it is then that his world falls apart.
Javert's Suicide
Watch the film from when Javert returns to the bloodied and deserted barricades until his death.
The internal turmoil that Javert faces is similar to that experienced by Valjean when the bishop gives him the candlesticks and lets him go free. They are both responding to an act of compassion. Take a little time to reflect on the different ways they respond.
Javert asks if the sins of Valjean can be forgiven.
What do you think?
I am the Law
Reflection
Share stories informally of those you know or have read about who have lived 'bad' lives, that appear to have experienced truly life transforming encounters with God.
I have added some links to some if the people mentioned during the session who have had their lives transformed through encounters with God.
Discussion
The majority of those who have seen the film or the stage musical probably believe that Valjean was not guilty of a crime. After all, as he states himself, he only stole a loaf of bread to feed a starving child. However, in the narrative, Hugo portrays Valjean as having a sense of sin, and he is also presented in the film in such a way.
What are your thoughts?
Romans 3:21-26
But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood – to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished – he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
Discussion
What would Javert make of it?
There is always a tension between God's law, understood here as the Mosaic Law, and the law of the land.
Is our moral conduct always governed by such rigid structures?
Ezekiel 36:22-32
‘Therefore say to the Israelites, “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: it is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone.
Discussion
Just as Javert sees no alternative but to end his life, he sings that his heart is stone and yet it still trembles. Think again of the passages we have read about hearts of stone.
Could Javert be saved or was he irredeemable?
Which character or group of people in the New Testament is closest to Javert?
Can we recognise similar types of people in society today?
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God' (Romans 3:23). We are 'dust' (Genesis 3:19).
Can we accept that we all need God's grace, and that only God can help us change?
Has this Lenten journey made you think about your own personal view of 'law' and 'grace'?
Are you seeing the emptiness of 'rules' when presented with grace?
Has this course challenged your understanding of the character of a God of grace who freely forgives?
Romans 3:23 and Genesis 3:19
Romans 3.23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Genesis 3.19
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.
Discussion
Can we accept that we all need God's grace, and that only God can help us change?
Has this Lenten journey made you think about your own personal view of 'law' and 'grace'?
Are you seeing the emptiness of 'rules' when presented with grace?
Has this course challenged your understanding of the character of a God of grace who freely forgives?
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Almighty and everlasting God, grant us the discernment and wisdom to distinguish your will.
Help us to fulfil and exceed our duties to you and to those around us and not be governed by the emptiness of rules.
Help us to recognise and accept your loving-kindness and respond to the gift of grace.
We bring before you all those who feel unworthy and cannot contemplate change.
We pray for those charged with enforcing law and order; grant they may be true to themselves and compassionate in carrying out their duties.
We pray especially for those who are faced with uncertainty and doubt and for those for whom life begins to seem meaningless.
Next Week
Next week is our final week in the course and we are looking at Redemption and Salvation. If you do have the books, it might be useful to read the leader's notes to give you more of an overview of the week.