Let us reflect on today’s beatitude:

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice (righteousness), for they will be filled.

1. What is ‘Hunger and thirst’? It is a deep desire and insatiable longing for something i.e. St Augustine- ‘Our hearts are restless until it rests in your Lord.’ Restless until we have that one thing- righteousness

2. Righteousness-It is the justice that comes from God i.e. the right way of life taught by Jesus.

3. We desire for the way of love, mercy and justice to become a reality in this world. As followers of Christ- we should be restless, disturbed if righteousness is not a reality. Only when we are in such a state where we constantly desire justice, and righteousness can we be at peace-filled of our hunger and our thirst.

We look at St Oscar Romero- who spoke up for justice and righteousness even unto death. Despite that he was at peace.

Do we have hunger and thirst for righteousness of God to be present in our lives and our surroundings? Do we play our part when we see injustice around us? Or do we just keep mum and continue our daily living? Jesus challenges us to bring more justice in the world today.

-Novena Devotion by Fr. Terence Wee, C.Ss.R. (8 March 2025)