"Among the Beatitudes which Our Lord and Saviour deigned to number in the Gospel, He also included this: “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill (Mt. v. 6). Happy are they to whom the Lord has deigned to give this exalted hunger, this most desirable thirst. But, Brethren, how does a man hunger after justice? You hunger after justice when you desire gladly and with patience to hear the word of God; for of this food was it said: “They that eat me, shall yet hunger: and they that drink me, shall yet thirst (Eccli. xxiv. 29). For though it is more perfect to do than to know, yet we must first know what is just before we can do it. He must learn God’s will who desires to fulfill it. And therefore he who desires to learn of justice hungers after the knowledge of justice. We must therefore learn of justice, so that afterwards we may merit to fulfill it."
CALL TO ACTION: Be obedient to Our Lord’s command, “learn of me for I am meek and humble of heart” by hungering after His word.
Source: Quote from "The Sunday Sermons of the Great Fathers," Volume II; St. Caesarius of Ars' sermon -- "On Eating and Drinking the Word," page 455; Henry Regnery Company (copyright 1958); Imprimatur: E. Morrogh Bernard, Vic. Gen. Westmonasterii; Nihil Obstat: Hubertus Richards, S.T.L., L.S.S., Censor Deputatus
Photo by Melissa Eskew