A Personal Reflection on Everyday Pursuit of What’s Right
In a world swirling with opinions, aspirations, and challenges that seem to shift with every news cycle, the ancient words of Jesus—“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied”—have never felt more relevant. As I reflect on what it truly means to crave righteousness in our day, I’m struck by the simplicity and profundity of this teaching, and by how radically it calls us to engage with the world around us.
Understanding True Hunger and Thirst
We all know what it feels like to be hungry or thirsty. These are primal, urgent needs—a gnawing in the stomach, a dryness in the throat—signaling that something essential is missing. Jesus didn’t choose these words lightly. He could have said “desire” or “wish for” righteousness, but he chose instead to liken it to our most basic physical needs. Why? Because righteousness isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for the soul.
To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to be driven by a longing so deep that it colors every decision, every interaction, every moment. It’s not a fleeting emotion or a passing mood, but a persistent ache—a yearning for what is good, true, and just, for ourselves and for the world.
Righteousness in the Midst of Uncertainty
Our world today is noisy. If you scroll through your phone or turn on the television, you’re flooded with stories of suffering, injustice, and division. From systemic inequalities to personal betrayals, the headlines can leave us with a sense of despair or, worse, numbness. Sometimes, it feels easier to turn away, to distract ourselves, or to settle for cynicism.
Yet, the call to hunger and thirst for righteousness is a call to engagement, not escape. It asks us to remain open and vulnerable to the pain of others, to the brokenness in our own lives, and to the possibilities for healing and transformation. It’s an invitation to care deeply, even when caring hurts.
Righteousness, in the biblical sense, isn’t just about following rules or being “good” in a superficial way. It’s about living in right relationship—with God, with others, with creation, and with ourselves. It’s about seeking justice for the oppressed, mercy for the hurting, integrity in all things. It’s about loving boldly and acting courageously, even when the world tells us to mind our own business.
Everyday Lessons: Small Choices, Lasting Impact
It might be tempting to think that the pursuit of righteousness belongs only to saints, activists, or those in positions of power. But Jesus spoke these words to ordinary people, in the context of everyday life. Hungering and thirsting for righteousness is not reserved for grand gestures—it’s woven into the fabric of daily living.
Consider the choices we make:
· Do we forgive when wounded, or do we clutch our grievances tightly?
· Do we offer help to those in need, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable?
· Do we speak up for what is right, even if our voice shakes or stands alone?
· Do we break patterns that harm ourselves or others, even when change is hard?
· Do we show kindness to those who irritate us, seeing in them the same dignity we hope to receive?
Each of these choices, seemingly small, is a seed sown for a harvest of righteousness. They’re moments where we align our lives with God’s heart for justice, compassion, and wholeness.
Righteousness as a Way of Life
This hunger and thirst is not passive; it demands action. It isn’t content with wishful thinking or the comfort of good intentions. Instead, it propels us into the messy, beautiful work of making things right—beginning with ourselves.
Living righteously means asking hard questions: Am I honest in my dealings? Am I generous with my time and resources? Do I seek reconciliation, not just retribution? Am I willing to listen and learn, especially from those whose experiences differ from my own? Am I committed to justice, even when it costs me something?
It’s a way of life that invites us to examine our priorities, our habits, our relationships. It calls us to humility, to repentance, to the ongoing journey of transformation.
Finding Satisfaction in the Pursuit
Jesus promises satisfaction to those who earnestly seek righteousness. This isn’t the shallow satisfaction of fleeting pleasures, nor the hollow accolades of success. It’s a deep, abiding contentment—a sense of wholeness that comes from knowing we are aligned with what matters most.
In my own experience, the pursuit of righteousness has led not to a perfect life, but to a meaningful one. There have been moments of disappointment, struggle, and even failure. Yet, in the process, I’ve discovered a joy that runs deeper than circumstance—a joy rooted in the knowledge that I am part of something bigger than myself, that my small acts of goodness contribute to a tapestry of grace and hope.
This satisfaction is not self-generated; it’s a gift. It comes from the assurance that, as we hunger and thirst for what’s truly right, we will encounter God’s presence, provision, and peace.
Chasing What Endures
The world invites us to chase after many things: wealth, popularity, comfort, control. These promises are alluring, but ultimately unsatisfying. They leave us hungry for more, thirsty for meaning that seems always out of reach.
But righteousness—living in harmony with God and neighbor—feeds the soul. It grounds us when everything else feels uncertain. It offers hope when circumstances seem bleak. It builds a legacy that outlasts fame or fortune.
To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to choose substance over image, depth over distraction. It’s to invest our lives in what endures—the love, justice, mercy, and truth that reflect the very nature of God.
The Qualities of a Blessed Life
In the Beatitudes, Jesus paints a portrait of the blessed life—a life marked not by power or prestige, but by humility, compassion, purity of heart, mercy, peacemaking, and perseverance in the face of adversity. These qualities are deeply interconnected with the pursuit of righteousness.
To be poor in spirit, to mourn, to be meek, to hunger and thirst for righteousness, to be merciful, pure in heart, a peacemaker, and even persecuted for doing right—these are the marks of those who are truly blessed.
They are not easy qualities to cultivate, especially in a culture that values assertiveness, self-promotion, and comfort. But they are qualities that lead to lasting joy and meaning.
Living the Teaching: Starting Where You Are
The journey toward righteousness doesn’t require perfection, nor does it demand impossible feats. It begins where we are, with what we have. It invites us to start small: a kind word, an honest choice, a gesture of generosity, a step toward reconciliation.
Each day presents new opportunities to hunger and thirst for what is right—not just in broad societal issues, but in the intricacies of our own lives. As we practice this pursuit, we become living reflections of God’s goodness, agents of change in a world that desperately needs hope.
The Bottom Line: A Life That Matters
To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to commit ourselves to what truly matters—to the goodness that brings healing, justice that restores dignity, and truth that sets us free. It’s a call to move beyond complacency, to reject cynicism, and to embrace a life of purpose.
In my own journey, I am learning—slowly, imperfectly, but persistently—that real satisfaction is found not in chasing what fades, but in reaching for what lasts. When we live with this kind of hunger and thirst, we discover the peace, joy, and fulfillment that Jesus promised. We participate in the ongoing work of renewing the world, one choice, one act, one day at a time.
May we never lose our appetite for what is right. May our thirst for righteousness drive us to love more deeply, serve more faithfully, and hope more fiercely. And may we find, in the pursuit itself, the satisfaction our souls have always craved.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 