“Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more.” – Psalm 72:7
For the second week of Advent, let’s focus on the virtue of justice toward God. There are two forms of justice: justice toward God and justice toward neighbor. The Catechism teaches: “Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor. Justice toward God is called the ‘virtue of religion'” (CCC 1807). Giving God His “due” takes several forms: making sure to keep the first three Commandments is a great place to start with giving God our best. To sum those up into one sentence: worship the Lord alone and keep the Lord’s name and the Lord’s Day holy.
“Jesus summed up man’s duties toward God in this saying: ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.'” – CCC 2083; Matthew 22:37
It can be tempting to think, “Check, check, and check: I’ve got all three of those covered.” But when I take a closer look at each of these, I know that I have room to grow in each one. What “idols” can I repent of that sometimes take the place of God’s rightful first place in my life? How can I honor God when people around me take the Lord’s name in vain (*idea below*)? How could I treat the Sabbath with more reverence by adding prayer or taking away something that keeps it from being truly holy–set apart for the Lord?
God, please help me to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength (Luke 10:27). May I honor You above all things.
Prayer for Loving God Above All Things
God, my Father, may I love You in all things and above all things.
May I reach the joy which You have prepared for me in
Heaven. Nothing is good that is against Your Will,
and all that is good comes from Your Hand.
Place in my heart a desire to please You
and fill my mind with thoughts of Your Love,
so that I may grow in Your Wisdom and enjoy Your Peace.
Suggested reading: The Art of Loving God by St. Francis de Sales
**When someone takes the Lord’s name in vain, you can say a silent prayer of reparation with short phrases like “Jesus, have mercy on us” or “Praise be the holy name of God.”**