HE OFFERS PEACE AND JUSTICE
Peace that unites, reconciles, heals, and gives joy.
In the Responsorial
Psalm we acclaim: 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. 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 sinner with the forgiving mercy of God.
In the Gospel of
Luke: Jesus works two miracles---healing a paralytic and forgiving his sins.
Which is greater? Jesus always asked the key questions: "Which is easier,
to say, "Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk?" He
works the second miracle to prove the first, but it is clear from Jesus'
question that forgiveness is the greater of the two.
"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. If you
wish to be healed of your wound, He is the healer; if you burn with fevers, He
is the fountain; if you 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).
Points to Pray and Ponder: Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a hunger
for peace: peace in the world, peace in our homes, peace in myself.