To Hunger and Thirst for Justice
The Beatitudes are a set of teachings the Lord delivered in the Sermon on the Mount. Eight times the Lord cited people viewed by the world as afflicted, and proclaimed them instead blessed. There could be no better illustration that God’s ways are higher than the world’s, and His thoughts higher than our own (Is. 55: 9).
The eight are with us still. They are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted, and finally those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matt. 5: 3-12).
All but the last of these give an impression of calm, gentleness, and resignation. Those of us who hunger and thirst after righteousness – attorneys, in particular – are not meek and mild. We are angry. That anger drives us. We are tormented by the injustice of the world; disconsolate that we can do so little, but determined to do all we can.
It is surprising (and comforting) to find that God understands us. We may never be poor in spirit, pure of heart, or meek. But we, too, serve a purpose in the kingdom. This hunger with which we are afflicted is, after all, a blessing in disguise.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matt. 5: 8).
O Lord, surely You were speaking of us when You said this from the mount. We hunger for righteousness, for justice in an unjust world.
Seeking to give voice to the voiceless, we all too often encounter indifference, if not outright opposition. Striving to deliver justice, we wrestle with arcane laws; with the machinery of bureaucracy; with the flawed and inadequate legal systems devised by man.
The struggle can seem overwhelming. Yet You were the One who placed this burden on our hearts. We cannot imagine being without it. The struggle now defines us, Lord.
Give us strength for another day.
Amen
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A Lawyer's Prayers 
Excellent, my Dear Anna! …But.
Unfortunately, the justice system is made up not only of judges, but attorneys too. …At least in my country, India, I find these latter just aiding and abetting Injustice; Most of them, anyway.
Thanks for reminding that You and I are Chosen, and Blest!
Love and Blessings on You. 🙂
You are so right. The system is corrupt at all levels. But I know from experience that there are wonderful people like you out there still struggling to fight for justice. Love and blessings, dear friend.
Thank You Ever so much, my Dear Anna! The Same to You too! 🙂
Reblogged this on lovehappinessandpeace and commented:
Excellent thoughts from my Dear Anna!
…But, as I wrote to her in the comments,
Unfortunately, the justice system is made up not only of judges, but attorneys too. …At least in my country, India, I find these latter just aiding and abetting Injustice; Most of them, anyway.
Thanks to Anna for reminding that those of us who hunger and thirst for Justice, on fire for Justice, are Chosen, and Blest!