Jesus who had died but who Paul claimed was alive. Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Friday of the 7th week of Easter, May 21, 2021. Reading is delivered by Marudut and meditation delivered by Dora Inez, from Saint Peter’s School in Jakarta, Indonesia. Acts of the Apostles 25: 13-21; Rs psalm 103: 1-2.11-12.19-20b; John 21: 15-19.
OUR JUSTIFICATION FROM GOD
Our meditation today has the theme: Our Justification From God. When we say “Our justification from God”, we refer to the act of God that justifies and strengthens our dignity as His sons and daughters. In this way, God really wants to separate us from evil and forces of the world that tend to distance us from Him.
The most obvious example for this, would be about the trial that Saint Paul faced before the authority of the world when he was charged based on the faith and conviction he professed then he taught them to the people. Jesus Christ had already experienced such treatment when He was brought in front of Pilate, who then let Jesus to be condemned to death. We can see here how real God’s justification is, when the truth of God through words and actions stands against the truth from this world with all kinds of force. The climax of this battle should be clear for us, that the truth from God must dispel the truth of the world and return to its source, namely God Himself. This is perfectly made by means of dying and leaving this world, in order to obtain eternal life.
Saint Paul’s trial brings us to the imagination about the evangelization work made by the Early Church, while today we are offered a drama about the trial that Saint Peter experienced when he was “tried” in a special way by Jesus Christ himself. We prefer to use the word “a trial” made by Jesus because that is where a person is being judged before Jesus that determines if he or she is a righteous person or not. Peter was interrogated about his sincerity, faith and commitment to follow Christ. Peter was known for speaking without thinking first, he so often misunderstood things and hit the wrong target. So he faced that trial in order to obtain the truth of his commitment and on that basis Jesus appointed him as the leader of the Church.
A justification obtained, whether by this world civil trial and justice or by God Himself who decides upon us, must comply with one of its fundamental conditions namely the objectivity. The conscience of many people, society and public opinion forms this objectivity. Whereas if any justification only comes from one or two people’s will, which is clearly against the conscience of many people, we must consider it to be against the truth.
We should be reminded that the voice and the will of God are obtained through common opinion in the Church which is facilitated by her leaders. It is here that justification for our behaviors and a Christian testimony is put into effect. So if you get absolution in the Sacrament of Confession through a confessor of the Church, that should be a justification for yourself. God justifies us in this world through legal and permanent instruments, and one of the most important instruments certainly the Church. Let’s pray. In the name of the Father … O God of all goodness, increase our courage and strength to be able to face various kinds of difficulties and evil influences, so that we may enjoy a justification from You as Your beloved sons and daughters. Our Father who art in heaven … In the name of the Father …