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Tuesday, July 2, 2002

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Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12
Psalm 5
Matthew 8:23-27

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just in time?

"You, O God, delight not in wickedness; no evil man remains with You; the arrogant may not stand in Your sight. You hate all evildoers; You destroy all who speak falsehood." —Psalm 5:5-7

God is just. He expects those who love Him to be just. Jesus died on the cross, took away our sins, and justified us (e.g. Rm 3:24). We must invite others to accept Jesus and His justification. Thus, we will reap a "harvest of justice" (Jas 3:18).

To be just, we must:

  • worship the true God (Jn 4:24),
  • obey God (Acts 5:29),
  • repent (Mt 3:2),
  • share our faith (Gal 1:23),
  • love and serve the poor (Lk 10:25-37),
  • tell the truth (Eph 4:15),
  • live a lifestyle of solidarity with the poor (Gal 2:10),
  • tithe and give alms (Lk 11:41-42),
  • do a good day's work (Col 3:23),
  • pray and work to save the lives of babies in danger of abortion (see Mt 18:14),
  • be peacemakers (Mt 5:9),
  • suffer persecution (2 Tm 3:12),
  • take up our crosses daily (Lk 9:23),
  • pray fervently for the virtue of justice,
  • be pure (1 Jn 3:3),
  • fight racism, and
  • forgive others and be forgiven (Mt 6:12).

Justice, by God's standards, is a share in God's life. It is a miracle of grace. Be just.

Prayer:  Father, make me just as You are just and holy as You are holy (see 1 Pt 1:16).

Promise:  "Now I will deal with you in My own way, O Israel! And since I will deal thus with you, prepare to meet your God." —Am 4:12

Praise:  By welcoming social lepers into her home, Joan saw God work miracles of love and hope.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, December 4, 2001


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 10, 2001