Every morning during morning prayer, we read
Love and fidelity embrace,
peace and justice kiss.
Fidelity sprouts from the earth,
justice leans down from heaven.
The Lord pours out riches,
our land springs to life.
Justice clears God's path,
justice points the way.
--Psalm 85
peace and justice kiss.
Fidelity sprouts from the earth,
justice leans down from heaven.
The Lord pours out riches,
our land springs to life.
Justice clears God's path,
justice points the way.
--Psalm 85
Justice is a recurring theme in our Advent journey this year.
St. Francis Xavier sought justice and peace. In a time when those around him were attempting to share God's word with people they neither loved nor respected, St. Francis learned their language, wore their clothes, ate their food, adapted their customs. In a way, it mirrors the story of Christ's incarnation,
St. Francis Xavier sought justice and peace. In a time when those around him were attempting to share God's word with people they neither loved nor respected, St. Francis learned their language, wore their clothes, ate their food, adapted their customs. In a way, it mirrors the story of Christ's incarnation,
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Philippians 2: 6-10
As our book states, "How could anyone hear of the love of God from people who didn't love them?" How indeed.
And then Bishop Maruthas, that great, ungainly saint. He went seeking justice for his people and, along the way, caused another bishop's death. And yet it was his unfailing ability to love the unlovable--healing the very king who was a party to the persecution of the Christians--that brought justice to his land.
St. Crispina also sought justice. She would not, as the judge suggested, pretend to worship the gods of the Roman Empire just to keep her head, even if that meant being martyred. We copied the words of St. Crispina:
And then Bishop Maruthas, that great, ungainly saint. He went seeking justice for his people and, along the way, caused another bishop's death. And yet it was his unfailing ability to love the unlovable--healing the very king who was a party to the persecution of the Christians--that brought justice to his land.
St. Crispina also sought justice. She would not, as the judge suggested, pretend to worship the gods of the Roman Empire just to keep her head, even if that meant being martyred. We copied the words of St. Crispina:
Would you have me turn against the one who gives me life?
And of course, St. Nicholas, who filled our shoes on Saturday morning with gingerbread men representing children, candy canes representing his staff, and chocolate coins representing the dowry of the girls destined for prostitution. St Nicholas, who said to the sailors when he wanted grain for his hungry people
Do not be afraid to do what is right.
And not only did his people have grain enough for that year and the next, but the sailors were left with the same amount of grain as they started with, satisfying the inspectors.
Finally, we have St. Ambrose, the poet bishop.
Our books says Ambrose was "fierce in God's service." He was not afraid to seek justice, and even engaged in a peaceful protest when a Roman governor misused one of the Christian churches. The people sang songs at this early sit-in written by St. Amrose himself. Here is one we still sing today:
Finally, we have St. Ambrose, the poet bishop.
Our books says Ambrose was "fierce in God's service." He was not afraid to seek justice, and even engaged in a peaceful protest when a Roman governor misused one of the Christian churches. The people sang songs at this early sit-in written by St. Amrose himself. Here is one we still sing today:Redeemer of the nations,
Make known your wondrous birth
Which so befits your grandeur
And sanctifies the earth.
A virgin was your mother,
O holy mystery!
Let all creation marvel
At your nativity.
Make known your wondrous birth
Which so befits your grandeur
And sanctifies the earth.
A virgin was your mother,
O holy mystery!
Let all creation marvel
At your nativity.
It's a joy this Advent to study the lives of these peaceful, faith, and just saints. I pray you are finding similar inspiration during this season!
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