The Measure of Justice

A reflection I gave today (I've been doing a lot of those lately). They are on today's (3/25/2013) readings which may be found here (Is 42:1-7, Ps 27, Jn 12:1-11)

How has Jesus brought justice to the nations? The Gospel warns us that if we view justice as 'everyone having more than what they had' we will be like Judas. It it interesting to note that those who demand justice the most are often those who, in equal measure, neglect mercy.

Justice is not having everything be the same but rather everyone having what he needs. Jesus restores sight to those who are blind, but we should reflect on his words: “those who have eyes ought to see and those who have ears ought to hear.”

Some of us need to hear his voice: Jesus comes to us to speak through a multitude of things.

Some of us need to see him: He meets us in his creation and in his sacraments.

But those who are healthy do not need a doctor, and furthermore those whom God loves he will test. Some of us will want to hear him, but we won't. Some of us will want to see him, but it will appear as if he is hidden. In these instances God is not being unjust—he knows and gives each of us what we need, the very definition of justice.

Justice is not about merely satisfying some agenda or making all of us feel comfortable with our idea of what's fair—for some justice demands more and gives more, for others, less. Be content this day with what God has given you and be generous with others.

God has been gracious in making us a light to all nations and that, in our joys and afflictions, he is always with us. For this it is truly right and just to give him thanks and praise.

Drawing all to Him

A reflection I gave at mass today. The readings may be found here: USCCB website
Please leave some comments below.

God, in his great love, wishes to gather all people to himself. In this grand campaign the Lord asks each of us to be conquerors. Greater still he asks us all to be living borders of his kingdom.

In the time of Jesus, a Jew could only seek forgiveness for his sins in the temple. The Jews considered the temple the center of God's kingdom and the borders of Israel the dwelling place of God. Jesus, when he proclaimed “Destroy this temple and I will raise it in three days” was speaking of himself. He replaced the temple of Jerusalem with himself. It is through Jesus that we are forgiven our sins and it is to Him all people should gather.

Truly, God's love is great because he gave the Jews a temple and a place to heal from their sins. His love is even greater because where many would not or could not go to the temple for healing, Jesus, the new Temple, came to them.

Jesus sends us forth, out of love, for those who do not know him. By our words and actions in this world we extend this holy place, this church, to all of those who are outside of it. We amplify the borders of this church in hope of drawing all to Christ, who is our sanctuary.

We are conquerors over sin and death when others return to Christ on account our words and deeds. Jesus, present in the holy Eucharist, is the temple where one finds pardon and peace.

Draw others to Him so that we may all rejoice in saying “We are his people, and He is our God.”