Justice Shall Flourish in God’s Time
Psalm 72 is sung every year for the Feast of the Epiphany and the 2nd Sunday of Advent, Year A, every three years, with some different verses. The verses of the psalm describe the One who is to come, the Christ (King) appointed by God and endowed with God’s judgment. In the psalm we express our certainty that the future God has promised will come to pass. We sing of hope, of peace, of justice and of fair judgment. In today’s liturgy, we are called to contribute to the fulfillment of this vision. We pray for unity among all peoples. And, we ask ourselves how we can bring peace and justice into our family life, work situations, neighborhoods, world community?
Give justice to your Anointed, O God, and righteousness to those Chosen!
That your people may be judged in righteousness, and your poor with justice.
In that day justice shall flourish and peace till the moon be no more!
Your Anointed shall rule from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth!
The Anointed delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who are helpless.
Having pity on the weak and the needy, saving the lives of the poor.
May the name of your Anointed endure forever, and continue as long as the sun!
Every tribe shall be blessed in the one you have chosen,
all nations bless your name.
[verses adapted from People’s Companion to the Breviary © 1997 by the Carmelites of Indianapolis]