Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Justice and Peace


“The Pope kissed the ground at Khartoum airport, and began his address at the arrival ceremony with a frank statement of concern:  “When people are weak and poor and defenseless, I must raise my voice on their behalf.  When they are homeless and suffering the consequences of drought, famine, disease and the devastations of war, I must be close to them….”  He had come, he said, on behalf of “justice and peace for all the citizens of this land, without reserve, regardless of their religion, social standing, ethnic background or color.”  Witness to Hope by George Weigel

JMJ

In the consequences of Original Sin, Man made in the Image of His Creator is drawn towards the Eternity of Love, the Only Begotten Son incarnated to restore what has been lost by the sin of our First Parents.  In this restoration of Man towards his Creator, the Omnipotent God of all the Living comes down from the throne of His Eternal Kingdom to live among the temporal life of this world and illumine the hearts of Mankind towards the living reality of the sacredness and dignity of humanity.  A humanity made in His Divine Image as heir of a Kingdom that will remain forever in this life through the ordinary and hidden tasks of daily living, sanctified by grace to come to flourishin in the Eternity of God’s Kingdom.  How great are the depths of God and unfathomable are His mercies that in restoring to Man his dignity he brings to Him a Union of the Divine to that which is most ordinary.  A justice and peace in the dimension of eternity passes through time in order that Man may taste of the Heavenly Glory he has been destined to live.  A voice of the Christ Child spurs from the cry of a baby who speaks for all who are weak, poor and defenseless to restore to those who are in need of hope and are in need of God’s Most Merciful Gaze of Redemption. 

Eternal Word of the Father, You have bestowed on Man an eternity of hope for a redemption that lives according to the Spirit of the Most Awesome and Living God.  In this redemption we encounter the peace that is longed for in every human heart.  A justice that makes free the eternity of love for those who have been enslaved from the brokenness of human weakness and misery.  We stand tall and erect in the hope we find in the Redemption that is near at hand and know that in this hope we will encounter a Most Awesome and Generous God; who in the Salvation of Man will redeem us ever more to a deeper intimacy with the Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three Divine Persons, One God.  O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions but in your mercy hear and answer me.  Amen.