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Wednesday 6 March 2013

DoC and Perfection: St. Ambrose: Part 70


I think a short comment from Ambrose is sufficient today for looking at Justice. How little there is in the world. Ambrose points out that justice, like all the virtues, comes from faith. Without real faith in Christ, there can be no justice in the world.


I like how the Doctor of the Church writes that the Church is the outward form of justice.


No state can be. The Church was instituted by Christ and therefore is the most perfect of all institutions. That the Church falls into sin is the result of the lack of justice of Her members.


And, if the leg is sick, the Body is sick, and so on.


Good works are just works, from a healthy, holy person.


God bless all just priests and laity. God protect all just nuns, sisters and mothers.


St. Joseph is called "just" because he was righteous, that is, holy.


Be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.


The foundation of justice therefore is faithfor the hearts of the just dwell on faith, and the just man that accuses himself builds justice on faith, for his justice becomes plain when he confesses the truth. So the Lord says through IsaiahBehold, I lay a stone for a foundation in Sion. Isaiah 28:16 This means Christ as the foundation of the Church. For Christ is the object of faith to all; but the Church is as it were the outward form of justice, she is the common right of all. For all in common she prays, for all in common she works, in the temptations of all she is tried. So he who denies himself is indeed a just man, is indeed worthy of Christ. For this reason Paul has made Christ to be the foundation, so that we may build upon Him the works of justice,1 Corinthians 3:11 while faith is the foundation. In our works, then, if they are evil, there appears unrighteousness; if they are goodjustice.


To be continued.....