Thoughts on the next Supreme Court Justice

President Obama made some remarks on the announcement of Supreme Court Justice Souter's retirement. I was most interested in what he said about what he's looking for in the person to replace Justice Souter. Here's an excerpt of his remarks during a press conference on 1 May 2009:

"Now, the process of selecting someone to replace Justice Souter is among my most serious responsibilities as President. So I will seek somebody with a sharp and independent mind and a record of excellence and integrity. I will seek someone who understands that justice isn't about some abstract legal theory or footnote in a case book. It is also about how our laws affect the daily realities of people's lives -- whether they can make a living and care for their families; whether they feel safe in their homes and welcome in their own nation.

I view that quality of empathy, of understanding and identifying with people's hopes and struggles as an essential ingredient for arriving as just decisions and outcomes. I will seek somebody who is dedicated to the rule of law, who honors our constitutional traditions, who respects the integrity of the judicial process and the appropriate limits of the judicial role. I will seek somebody who shares my respect for constitutional values on which this nation was founded, and who brings a thoughtful understanding of how to apply them in our time." (emphasis mine)

I generally like the sentiment here, but I'm not exactly sure how President Obama will find someone with these qualifications. Much has been recorded about Obama's thoughts on Supreme Court nominees which I won't go into here. But still, there is something about this that bothers me, but I can't put my finger on it.

President Obama's comments made me remember some of what God says about what he wants to see in people (not just Supreme Court nominees):

"Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'" -- Jeremiah 9:23-24

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" -- Micah 6:8

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others." -- Matthew 23:23

To sum up, God most highly values knowing him, walking humbly with him, practicing love, justice, righteousness, kindness, mercy, and faithfulness.

Now that's what I'm looking for in the next Supreme Court nominee.