JULY - JUSTICE


Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor. (CCC 1807)

"Among the virtues that have suffered most in modern times, one of the outstanding is that of justice. It has been attacked by many false principles, such as : "Business is business," "You can't get ahead without some sharp dealing," and "So long as a thing is legal it is O.K." Such disregard of the principles of justice between man and man has gradually distorted the necessary distinctions between "mine" and "thine" until in some instances the conscience is completely dulled.

"Despite all popular notions to the contrary, justice is still an essential part of the natural law, and every sin and fault against it will be punished by God. It is defined as the virtue whereby a man respects the rights of others to what they possess; whereby he gives to every man what is his due, and takes from no man anything except that to which he has a just title.

"Just titles for the acquisition of material things are : 1) occupation, e.g., settling on unowned and unclaimed land, finding a lost article without trace of the owner; 2) the acceptation of increase, fruit or additional value that arises in a thing already possessed; 3) exchange of material things with other men, either thing for thing, or money for thing, or services for thing; 4) heredity. Any taking of material things from others without one of these titles or a title akin to one of them is injustice. It can readily be seen, therefore, that there are many ways in which justice can be violated." (Catholic Treasures)

Prayer for the Month

O Lord, who didst impose upon all men the commandment: "Thou shalt not steal," who will demand a strict account of all who have been unjust in their dealings with their neighbor, I am profoundly sorry for every sin and fault whereby I have wronged my fellow-man, and promise to make full reparation. Thy greatest praise of Thy foster-father, St. Joseph, was contained in the simple words that "he was a just man."

Give me the strength to imitate his praise, to be just in my business affairs and private transaction, to be just in my dealings with those who are subject to me and those to whom I am subject; to be just in making restitution for all my injustices of the past. Let me not be moved by the example of the world, nor by the desire of riches and power, nor by the urgings of those who take no thought of Thee and of Thy law. Let me be detached from all earthly possessions and not envious of those who have great riches, in order that I may call Thee my only treasure. O Mary, my Mother, obtain for me the grace to deal justly and fairly with all my neighbors.
(Rev. Donald F. Miller, C.SS.R.)

Scripture for the Month

And when the Son of Man shall come in His majesty, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the Throne of His glory; and before Him will be gathered all the nations, and He will separate them one from another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. (Matthew 25:31-33)

Aspiration for the Month

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy kingdom come.

June - Love of Neighbor
(Negative Obligations)

Besides the positive duties of fraternal charity, such as almsgiving, correction, forgiveness, there are many sins to be avoided in the practice of the same virtue, and these may be listed as the negative obligations.

Every human being has it in his power not only to help his neighbor but also to hurt him. This latter may take the form of temporal harm, as it does in the sins of hatred, slander, detraction, and similar sins, or it may do eternal harm as in the the case of scandal and cooperation in another's sins.

A few examples cited in the Examination of Conscience for Adults:

*"Have I callously rejoiced over the serious misfortunes that came to others, ...because it pleased me to see them suffer?"
*Have I deprived an unborn child of its right to life by causing an abortion, or paying for an abortion, or cooperating in it in some other way?"
*Have I attributed bad motives to others when I could not be certain of their motives?"
*Have I made cutting, sarcastic remarks to others?"

Prayer for June

"O patient Jesus, how unworthy I am of Thee! Thou was all charity towards Thy persecutors; I am so easily moved to hatred and rancor towards my enemies! Thou didst pray so lovingly for those who crucified Thee, and I so often seek revenge against those who offend me! Thy words were always words of kindness and compassion, or words of rebuke only when rebuke was necessary to win back a sinner's love; my words are so often inspired by dislike and ill-will towards others! Thou didst die to prevent sin, and I am one of those who so often made Thy death in vain by leading others into sin by my example or my cooperation. I am sorry now for all the harm I have done to souls that Thou didst purchase with Thy Precious Blood; I promise now to make atonement, and to be ready to lay down my life for the salvation of my neighbor. Grant me the grace to remember the power of my example and my words and my actions over the lives of others; let me say or do nothing that might bring pain to one of the little ones beloved by Thee. O Mary, who didst add thy sufferings of Jesus in behalf of sinners, accept the sacrifices I shall make in behalf of charity and unit them to thine, that with thee and in thee I may help to save many souls."

Aspiration for June
Oh my God, I love Thee, and I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee.

Scripture for June
A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love another. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another. (John 13:35, 36)