February 9: Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly
Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor, and the face of God will not be turned away from you. Tobit
Gregg’s Reflection
Micah’s words are deceptively simple: act justly, love mercy, walk humbly. They capture the heart of the spiritual life, yet I ignored them for decades. My focus was on achievement, proving myself, and chasing success—often in ways that ran counter to Jesus’ example.
It took years of spiritual formation for my heart to turn from pride toward humility, from judgment toward compassion. I began to see the hidden privileges I had been blind to, and how the structures of our culture advantage some while leaving others behind. My understanding of mercy and justice shifted from charity to solidarity—standing with and advocating for those who bear the weight of injustice.
This is still very much a work in progress. But I have learned that justice, mercy, and humility are not optional extras—they are the way of life Jesus modeled, and the way we are called to walk each day.
Scripture
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.
Isaiah 1:17
Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25:40
Ancient Quotes
Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor, and the face of God will not be turned away from you.
Tobit 4:7
Modern Quotes
Herein lies the great challenge for us: to be such imitators of Christ that people can look at us and understand how Jesus would think, live, and act in the context of modern society.
Richard Foster, On the Imitation of Christ
Journaling Prompts
- Which of these three—justice, mercy, humility—comes most naturally to you?
- Which one challenges you most?
- How might you live each of them more fully today?
- How has humility, gentleness, or kindness grown in your heart in recent years?
👉 Go deeper into this week’s theme:
Read the full Week 6 Reflection: Contemplative Life & Practice