The Lord comes to judge the earth. — Psalm 96:13

Mass readings: 1 Peter 4:7-13 / Mark 11:11-26

Ask for the Higher Things

There are lots of Justins in my life. One is the abbot at a Benedictine monastery in Indiana I worked with for many years. I have a wonderful Jewish son-in-law named Justin. I also knew a young priest named Justin who died suddenly and left all who knew him greatly saddened. But the Justin whose feast we observe today was one of the earliest persons who could call himself “Christian.”

Indeed, Justin (who died around 165) was one who took to heart the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel: “Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.” Yes, you may have to make great sacrifices first, but “it shall be yours.” The Justins I’ve known have asked for the higher things, the things of God.

Prayer: Dear God, we pray that we become true Christians.