Micah 6: 1-4.6-8,
Ps 50:5-6.8-9.16bc-17.21,
Matthew 12:38-42 Full Readings
Saint Apollinaris
Acting Justly, loving tenderly and Walking Humbly
This famous statement of prophet Micah is one of the most quoted verses in the Old Testament. The Lord asks us of this: Act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8).
The context in which Micah said this statement is when the Israelites whom God had delivered from Egypt started reciting the commandments of God only by lips not from the heart. The Lord was no longer pleased with their sacrifices and burnt offerings for they meant nothing to Him for God sees the heart.
This statement requires the conversion of the heart. What God wants is only conversion, consisting of justice, tenderness and true devotion to God. Nothing external will suffice. This however doesn't mean that our external actions should not be good, it means that our actions should be from the heart not be hypocritical by pretending to do good actions outside and inside we are full of malice.
Acting justly, loving tenderly and walking humbly with God is better than anything else for these are kingdom virtues. In today's Gospel Jesus challenges that we should not wait for a sign other than Himself. Instead of focusing on looking for signs, we should focus on cleaning our hearts and fill them with justice, love and humility.
Most times we focus on looking for signs and miracles, and this is a great threat to our faith today because many people have lost their faith because there are no miracles or they are taken away by those who act miracles. Are you also always seeking miracles?
Our invitation today is to focus on developing virtues of the heart, which will help us also to act among the people. Reflect today on how you Act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with your God. Pray for the Spirit to help you develop virtues of the heart.
Let us Pray
Lord, help always to trust in you whether I see signs or not for I know you are powerful and you do whatever you will. May I always Act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with you. Amen
Be blessed
May I always act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with my God
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