THE LIFELONG JOURNEY OF FAITH UNFOLDS GRADUALLY AS WE GROW AND GO FORWARD...........

Preparing for this week's R.C.I.A. ministry meeting with the dual focus of, Divine Justice And Judgment during the Breaking of the Word session Sunday morning, and on the Gradual Unfolding of the Journey of Faith, in the Inquiry session, has me pondering on the ways in which divine and human justice play out in our lives.  The Sunday Scriptures with its rendering of the Vineyard contrasts the solely human response of justice, shaped by the conditional responses of interpersonal interactions, with the unconditional justice and judgment of God.  Divine Justice and Judgment are selfless, and free, with no prejudice or prerogative toward the one being brought to justice and judgment, except the rejection of evil and the embracing of good.  Human Justice, is oftentimes imperfect, and judgmental, conditionally arrived at, and lacking the goodness and unity God desires that humankind possess.  But God is Eternal, thus allowing humans ample time to repent, and recognize, the need to place our human judgments and metering of justice in the light of the goodness and love of God, which surpasses our human experience.  God's desire for total unity with us never wavers.  From the moment of Creation, to the fall from Grace, to the present moment of our lives and to the end of the age and the inauguration of the God's Kingdom, we are offered Salvation and the opportunity to grow in the Divine image and union with God and all Believers.  The Paschal Mystery of Jesus The Christ, His Passion, Death, and Resurrection, reconciles us with the Divine and empowers us to overcome Sin.  The ultimate freedom we have is choosing to aviod evil and that which separates us from God, and exercise the justice, goodness, right relationships, with God and others that can make our lives complete.  How we put our Faith in Action in selfless justice and right judgment, determines how well we gradually, but assuredly make the journey of Faith. This allows the faith journey to take depth and true meaning in our lifelong quest to better know, love, and serve God; and share in the Community of Believers, that continues the Divine Presence we are meant to mirror and make known...........In The Name Of Our Just God And Righteous Judge,   Fr.  Troy