Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs

Now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified to by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as an expiation, through faith, by his Blood, to prove his righteousness because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed, through the forbearance of God to prove his righteousness in the present time, that he might be righteous and justify the one who has faith in Jesus.

Jesus is our bridge from earth to heaven. It is through him that we are all redeemed from our sins and given a chance to live with God in heaven. Christ is righteousness made manifest and if we want to live holy and good lives, then we must do everything in our power to imitate him in thought, word, and work. His Truth gives us a guide to being authentic people. His Life gives us a blueprint on how to live our lives. His Way gives us a roadmap to heaven. We are justified by the saving graces Jesus purchased for us through his Life, Passion, Death, and Resurrection. It is through our witness to our faith and our sharing in the Body and Blood of Christ that we participate in the righteousness, love, and mercy that flows from Jesus’ wounds.

Do we recognize ourselves as sinner? Do we come before God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and seek to make amends for our failings by imitating Jesus? In what ways can we follow in Christ’s footsteps and manifest righteousness?

O Lord, you are the source of all righteousness.

Amen.