The readings of this day speak about the righteousness, honesty and Justice of God the Father, as well as about the faithful and righteous sons of the Father.

 

The readings begin from the book of Isaiah about the abundance of injustice, murder and cheating.

“How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; Righteousness lodged in it, But now murderers. Your silver has become dross, Your wine mixed with water.” (Isaiah 1)

But it gives hope in the change and the vistation of God by His divine righteousness.

 

”After that, you are called the city of Justice ; the faithful village of Zion, with Justice, and those who repent of it will be spared captivity with Justice and mercy”

He proclaims the source of the Father’s righteousness and the means of His visitation for mankind ;the Cross of the Lord of glory.

“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lord’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it.” (Isaiah 2)

 

The prophecy of Zechariah emphasizes the connection of the Father’s righteousness with the cross and salvation.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Behold, I will save My people from the land of the east And from the land of the west;

I will bring them back, And they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. They shall be My people And I will be their God, In truth and righteousness.” (Zechariah 8)

 

He explains the meaning of the Father’s righteousness in His children.

“And it shall come to pass That just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house

of Israel, So I will save you, and you shall be a blessing. Do not fear, Let your hands be strong.” (Zechariah 8)

 

The Matins psalm in the psalm of parental care proclaims the praise of the soul to the Father, her shepherd, who paid for all her needs and restored herself after a loss and guided her to the path of righteousness.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness” (Psalms 23)

 

As for the Matins gospel, the Lord met with tax collectors and sinners, declaring the righteousness of the Heavenly Father in accepting everyone, healing sinners and inviting everyone to repentance.

“And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Matthew 9)

 

Pauline Epistle proclaims the righteousness of God in the choice of peoples and the acceptance of nations.

“For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.”

What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,

and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

As He says also in Hosea: “I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved.”

“And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ There they shall be called sons of the living God.” (Romans 9)

 

Catholic Epistle shows the glory of the Father’s righteousness in changing peoples from immorality to holiness and the fear of God.

“For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles–when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.

In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” (1 Peter 4)

He also declares the fidelity of the Sons of the Father in their service to each other.

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4)

The justice of God revealed in the godly people and his scholars, who defended the disciples, is shown in Praxis.

“And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing;

but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it–lest you even be found to fight against God.” (Acts 5)

 

The sweetness of the Father’s righteousness is also shown in the fact that the children of God accept pain with joy and even with a feeling of unworthiness.

“So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” (Acts 5)

 

In the psalm of the liturgy, the soul begs only for God’s mercy.

“Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, For I am desolate and afflicted.” (Psalms 25)

 

The Gospel of the liturgy concludes with the responsibility that the Father gives to His servants and the agency that He entrusts to them.

“And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?

Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.” (Luke 12)

The whole readings are also concluded by the righteousness of the Father to His children in the fiery spirit pouring into the hearts of the children.

“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” (Luke 12)

 

 

The summary of the readings

The multitude of human injustices and the visitation of the Father’s righteousness for them in the cross. The book of Isaiah

The salvation of the Son proclaimed the righteousness of the Father and turned the curse into a blessing. The book of Zechariah

The soul turns to the mercy of God, who pays all the needs and returns them to his righteousness. Matins and liturgy Psalms

The righteousness of the Father in accepting everyone, no matter what their condition, as a healer. Matins gospel

The righteousness of the Father in visiting peoples and accepting nations as a vessel of mercy.Pauline Epistle

Turning nations from prostitution to holiness and even serving as agents of God’s Grace.Catholic Epistle

Accepting pain as a gift, a pleasure, a feeling of unworthiness.Praxis

The righteousness of the father in His gifts to us as agents and His Justice in His accounting for each agent.The liturgy gospel