Your word is a lamp for my steps
and a light for my path. PS 118:105
1 KINGS 21:1-16
My Beloved, Soul of my soul,
The world is full of people like Ahab and Jezebel who think nothing of exploiting the weak, trampling on their rights, and taking whatever they wish with no thought of the havoc they cause or the lives they wreck in the process. They use their position, power, and wealth to influence those who wield justice and the poor are denied the little they have.
Too often the powerful of the world forget that they are mortal and a day of reckoning will arrive as surely as day follows night. Those who exploit the poor, the weak, the widow and the orphan can be sure that someday they will stand before the Just Judge who will ensure that they make restitution to the last penny.
PSALM 5:2-3, 5-7
My Beloved, Soul of my soul,
Your ear is always attentive to the cries of of Your people who are suffering, who are in pain, who are deprived of justice, who have no one to come to their help.
We look around us today and we see the poor in so much pain. Anxiety is rampant. Fear prevails. Many have lost their livelihood and are wondering how they will provide for their families.
You, my Beloved, hear every cry, You hear every sigh, Your gaze is turned to all who lift their face to You for help. We believe that You have reduced the number of days of our suffering. We believe, we hope, and we trust Your Word and wait expectantly for the time of our deliverance.
MATTHEW 5:38-42
My Beloved, Soul of my soul,
The Gospel of love teaches us to exercise gentleness, meekness, compassion, generosity, and humility in the face of violence, greed, pride, and injustice. It takes greater strength of character to be meek and gentle of heart than to reciprocate violence with violence, hate for hate, and injustice for injustice.
The Law of Moses taught that justice was served when punishment and restitution was made proportionate to the crime committed. But You teach us the Law of Love. We are not to keep a record of wrongs but we are called to forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven, which means that we forgive always. We need grace and help Beloved to abide in love always. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit and Your Sacraments that enable us to grow in love. If we grow in love we will also grow in perfection and holiness.
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