An Ecumenical Ministry in the Parish of St Patrick's Catholic Church In San Diego USA

米国サンディエゴの聖パトリックカトリック教会教区におけるエキュメニカル宣教

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

"JUSTICE AND MERCY"

"JUSTICE AND MERCY"


Today's Gospel (Mt 16:21-27) mentions at the end, when Christ returns in his glory, he will give each one what their works deserve, we should call this "justice". When we think of divine justice, divine mercy also comes to mind.


Precisely the second reading of today Sunday (Romans 12: 1-2) mentions the mercy of God, that thanks to this mercy for which we express divine forgiveness, we should all make an effort to please God by seeking our personal conversion, seeking to do the will of God in our lives, that we aspire to achieve what is good, what is pleasant, what is perfect, what is holy, and this would be possible if we transform our way of thinking, not adjusting ourselves to the world, but letting ourselves be inspired by God.

In the Gospel Peter appears trying to convince Jesus not to follow the road to Jerusalem, because death awaits him there. Jesus confronts Peter, reproaching him that his way of thinking is not that of God, but that of men. Then, Jesus challenges us to follow him on the path that he himself travels. Jesus invites us to carry our cross, to die to our selfishness, to win everything in God, without fear of losing to the world.


If "justice" is to give each person what belongs to them, is it not also time to give God what belongs to God? Precisely giving God what is proper to him is giving our lives back to God, giving him what we are, since we are created in his image and likeness, we are his consecrated people, we are the chosen ones who have been rescued by the Blood of the Lamb of God. Finish this brief reflection by praying with the words of Psalm 130: “Out of the depths I call to you, Lord; Lord, hear my cry! May your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord, keep account of sins, Lord, who can stand? But with you is forgiveness and redemption, so you are revered.”

 

Fr. Carlos Flores, OSA

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