TWELFTH DAY OF LENT

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:10

Righteousness is one of those Biblical words that one hears in church and its meaning is rather vague for most people.  The word has a tinge of the negative because we hear so often used in the sin of self-righteousness.  Basically righteousness is doing the right thing with the right spirit and intention.   For the Christian, the right thing with right spirit and intention as found in the heart of Christ.

In a judicial sense, righteousness is being in right standing with the court of law and with the community.  When used in the “Justice Christianus” is the work of mercy in the coming together of the penitent and the Divine.  It is the work of God in placing us in right standing in the heavenly courts and the community of Creation.  And at the same time, it is a work of repentance enabled by the guiding grace of God.  It is placing us in the right orientation and in the right quality of relationship with God and with others.

In part, righteousness is a course correction, embarking on a new course that leads us from where we are to where will need to be.

In part, righteousness is a restoration, a restoring to its rightful state, not the former state, but the state desired by the Lord.

Through and through, righteousness is being centered and balanced in the fuller understanding of the Justice and Mercy present in the heart and mind of the Lord.

Righteousness is the fair justice in the Perfect Love of God for all.

Always in Christ’s Service,

Fr. Charitas de la Cruz