The readings of this day make clear the righteousness of the kingdom, which is mercy for others.It is mercy, tender entrails, and the richness of love for all that proclaims the grace of the kingdom that is in us.
Solomon’s proverbs begin with the proclamation that righteousness saves from eternal death, as they declare the falsity of the treasures of the wicked.
” Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death.” (Proverbs 10)
In the book of Isaiah, righteousness is poured out richly and abundantly on those who keep the commandment.
“Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” (Isaiah 48)
It proclaims the righteousness of the kingdom to every human being.”The Lord has called Me from the womb; From the matrix of My mother He has made mention of My name.
And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword; In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, And made Me a polished shaft; In His quiver He has hidden Me.” (Isaiah 49)
In the book of Job, God reproaches Job for justifying himself and not realizing God’s righteousness.
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:
“Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge?
Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.
“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. (Job 38)
In the Matins psalm, the righteousness of God is manifested in the richness of the Divine Mercy that surrounds man from all sides.
“Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous;”
(Psalms 32)
And in the Matins gospel, the Lord shows the consequence of the absence of mercy from the human heart and the deprivation of the kingdom.
“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day.
But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate,
desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.” (Luke 16)
That is why Paul warns that we will stand before God’s pulpit to give an account of what we have done with our brethern, that is why he warns against contempt for others, condemning them, finding them unbearable, the difficulty and seriousness of the situation on the day of judgment.
“But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”
So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14)
It also shows the nature and essence of the kingdom.
“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14)
Catholic Epistle continues to warn believers, pastors and ministers of churches against the sin of favouritism and favoring the rich over the poor.
“Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
But you have dishonored the poor man.
but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2)
As for Praxis, it reveals the absence of righteousness from human life so they conspire and plot against the others until death.
” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him.” (Acts 9)
It also proclaims the image of the church in which the righteousness of God is proclaimed
” Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.” (Acts 9)
And in the psalm of the liturgy, the richness of divine righteousness and His mercies in the salvation of man from eternal destruction are shown.
“I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore.
For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.” (Psalms 86)
The Gospel of the liturgy concludes with the constant presence of the son of God in the reality and life of mankind with His divine light and His works for our salvation, and also warns against the absence of purpose, the essence of righteousness (the love of God) and attachment to the glory of people that obscures the glory of God.
“He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.
But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish–the very works that I do–bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.
But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.
How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?” (John 5)
The summary of the readings
God’s righteousness saves man from eternal death. Proverbs and the liturgy psalm
God’s gifts to His children are rich and uncountable. The book of Isaiah
God rebukes those who do not understand His righteousness because of his justification of himself. Job
Those who depend on God feel the protection and immunity of the Divine mercy. The Matins psalm
We will stand before God’s seat to give an account of what we have done with others. The Matins gospel and Pauline Epistle
Nepotism in the church is the path of judgment. Catholic Epistle
The absence of righteousness leads to plots and intrigues. Praxis
The glory of people can deprive us of the kingdom. The Gospel of the liturgy