Ignatian Reflections

23 October 2022 «

Written by Richard Nichols S.J. | Oct 23, 2022 4:00:00 AM

23 October 2022

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“The Lord is a God of justice, who knows no favorites” (Sirach 35:12).  In other words, God has no inner circle of elites to whom he gives VIP treatment.  Unlike so many corruptible human officials, God does not look the other way when his friends break the law.  He shows no partiality.  He applies his justice equally to all.

If you wish to be the friend of God, not a corrupt one, but a friend through and through, then be at peace with the fact that you will never receive any elite favors from Him.  What you will receive is the same as everybody else: justice in its purest divine form.  Loving God means loving divine justice, too, which then entails contrition, repentance, confession, amendment, satisfaction and reparation.  It entails studying the cross of Christ, because it is the cross that teaches us how justice and mercy come together in harmony.

The angels in heaven are preparing crowns for those who embrace divine justice on Earth.  The heavenly crown does not signify preferential VIP treatment.  According to St. Paul, it signifies righteousness.  “From now on, the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance” (2 Tim 4:8).  May you, like St. Paul, one day receive that crown.

  October 23rd, 2022