Feb 25 – The Second “Righteous” Verse – Quae… Qua… Qualified…
Matthew 5:6
The second use of the word “righteousness” by Jesus happens at the beginning of His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:6. Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied.”
As others have said, I often point out that after this particular Beatitude, the rest of the Beatitudes no longer talk about needs, but rather describe Christian living. Consuming the righteousness Christ brings, Christians are filled with the satisfaction of salvation, and their living is now marked by giving.
Seminarians learn a lot of Latin phrases. Even though I don’t really know Latin, here are 2 Latin phrases I could distinguish: “fides quae” and “fides qua.” The first describes “the faith which is believed.” That would be the Christian teaching and doctrine. That’s really what the first use of “righteousness” is about at the baptism of Jesus. “All righteousness” indicates that Jesus will be the object of faith and — unless He is identifiable — no one would be able to trust in Him.
Once He is identified, people can trust Him: “fides qua” – “the faith by which one believes.” This faith makes Christ our own. It’s putting on the clothing of Christ. (Gal. 3:27)
Like the Cinderella shoe first presented to a poor servant girl, the righteousness of Christ does not appear fitting to be placed upon me… a poor miserable sinner.
But that is the beauty of Christ’s righteousness… with the shoes of good news… our soul is satisfied, and finally God is, too! We finally look like His Beloved Son. That’s fitting!
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, You are our righteousness.
You are the world’s only Lamb of God. Bless us with faith that is fitting, perfectly! Amen.
