“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Matt. 5:6)
Our verse of the day, continuing in our reflections on the Beatitudes of Jesus, expresses a deep desire for holiness and justice. To hunger and thirst for righteousness means to long for God’s will to be done in our lives and in the world, much as we desire food and drink. It is a desire that goes beyond human effort alone; it reflects a soul that yearns for a complete conformity to God’s law. This hunger and thirst also encompass a longing for justice in a fallen world where sin has distorted the natural order. Those who truly seek righteousness are not content with mediocrity but strive for the perfection that Christ commands of His disciples.
Christ promises that those who long for righteousness will be “filled.” This filling is not some temporary satisfaction but the fullness of grace that only God can provide. It is the filling of the soul with divine truth and the strength to live in accordance with God’s will. Our Lord assures us that this hunger will be satisfied both in this life and in the next. On earth, we are filled through Biblical, apostolic teachings and God’s presence, and in heaven, we will be fully united with our Lord, where righteousness reigns forever.
Sadly, many religious teachers neglect to feed this hunger for righteousness in their flocks. Instead of encouraging a desire for holiness and a thirst for truth, they water down the faith, offering only superficial comforts. They focus on social or emotional needs, rather than calling souls to repentance and a deeper life in Christ. This neglect leaves the faithful spiritually malnourished, unable to attain the fullness of righteousness that Christ promises. The faithful are often left searching for meaning when they should be taught to hunger and thirst for the true righteousness that only comes from living in accordance with God’s commandments and embracing the ancient teachings of the Church.
