Thirsting for Justice
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice: They shall have their fill.
—Matthew 5:6
Father Richard connects righteousness with justice:
This beatitude is both spiritual and social. Most Bibles to this day soften this beatitude: “hunger and thirst for what is right” or “for righteousness” are the more common and, I would argue, faulty translations. But the word in Greek clearly means “justice.” Notice that the concept of justice is used halfway through the Beatitudes and again at the very end. It’s a couplet reiterating the point: To live a just life in this world is to have identified with the longings and hungers of the poor, the meek, and those who weep. This identification and solidarity are already a profound form of social justice. [1]
The peace activist John Dear, who has spent his life working for nonviolence, writes about this beatitude:
Righteousness is not just the private practice of doing good; it sums up the global responsibility of the human community to make sure every human being has what they need, that everyone pursues a fair sense of justice for every other human being, and that everyone lives in right relationship with one another, creation, and God….
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United Women in Faith Digital
Join us for the first gathering of 2026 on Thursday, January 8th, at 8 p.m. ET as we experience the January program, “Light for Our Path,” with author Hannah Kardon. We will map our next year of faith and action, guided by Rev. Hannah and UWFaith staff.