Advent with Aleteia: Justice and peace, united forever

Day 18: These two goods are closely connected. How are we serving them?

Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
-Ps. 85:11-12

Reflection

Today’s reading that “justice and peace shall kiss” reminds us how closely connected these two good things are. Justice and peace are gifts of God, and like all God’s gifts, we are called to cooperate in making them present on earth.

St. Teresa of Avila put it so well when she said, “Christ has no body now but yours; No hands, no feet on earth but yours.”

The Catechism reminds us that justice usually comes first, as peace naturally arises where there is justice: “Peace is the work of justice and the effect of charity” (2304).

Or as St. Oscar Romero said, “Peace is the product of justice and love.” As we prepare our lives and hearts to welcome the One we call the Prince of Peace, let’s give thought to how we can work toward justice and peace in our society.

How are our hands and feet working to make justice and peace really present in today’s world?

Prayer

Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that the coming solemnity of your son
may bestow healing upon us in this present life
and bring us the rewards of life eternal.
Through our lord Jesus Christ, your son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the holy spirit, one God, for ever and ever.