Matthew 5: 6

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

LECTIO & MEDITATIO
"Hunger and thirst" vividly expresses desire (Psalms 42:2; 63:1).
It is best to take "righteousness" here as simultaneously personal righteousness and justice in the broadest sense.
These people desire not only that they may wholly do God's will from the heart, but also that justice may be done everywhere.
All unrighteousness grieves them and makes them homesick for the new heaven and earth -the home of righteousness (2 Peter 3:13).
What they taste now whets their appetites for more.
Ultimately they will be satisfied without qualification only when the kingdom is consummated.

Righteousness in the Bible has at least three aspects:
a. Legal
Legal righteousness is justification, a right relationship with God.
b. Moral
Moral righteousness is that righteousness of character and conduct which pleases God.
c. Social
Biblical righteousness is more than legal and moral. It includes social righteousness as well which is the liberation of oppression and the promotion of civil rights, justice in law courts, integrity in business dealings and honour in home and family affairs.
Thus Christians are committed to hunger for righteousness in the whole human community as something pleasing to a righteous God.

CONTEMPLATIO / PRAYER
Lord Jesus help me seek complete righteousness whether in legal, moral or social that I may be a righteous Christian for you.
Amen.