HE OFFERS PEACE AND JUSTICE
In the
responsorial psalm today, we exclaim, "Our God will come to save us! Let us hear Him proclaim to us - justice and
peace. For we prayed: justice and peace shall kiss" (Ps 85: 11). God
offers a peace that is health in mind and wholeness in the body, unity in our
family and prosperity in our community. Peace that unites, reconciles, heals,
and gives joy. The condition of peace is justice. Justice that gives all due,
and justice that justifies the failings of humanity with the forgiving mercy of
God.
In the
Gospel of Luke: Jesus works two miracles - healing a paralytic and forgiving
his sins. Which action is greater? Jesus
always asked the key questions: "Which is easier, to say, "Your sins
are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'?" (Lk 5: 23). He works the
second miracle to prove the first, but it is clear from Jesus' question that
forgiveness is the greater of the two.
"Thus
we have everything in Christ. Let every soul go to him, whether it be sick from
the sins of the body, or pierced with the nails of some desire of this age; or
still imperfect - provided that it goes forward in persevering meditation, or
is already perfect in many virtues: everything is within Christ's power, and
Christ is everything to us. If you wish to be healed of your wound, He is the
healer; if you burn with fevers, He is the fountain; if you are laden with
iniquity, He is justice; if you have need of help, He is strength; if you fear
death, He is life; if you desire heaven, He is the way to it; if you flee from
darkness, He is the light; if you seek food, He is nourishment." (On
Virginity, ix).