By Fr. Sílvio Marques Sousa Santos, SJ

Psalm 103:6 has a profound message about who God is, God's justice and God's revelation to humanity. It invites us to reflect on the nature of God and how he acts on behalf of those who seek him.

The text emphasizes that God is just and acts in defense of the oppressed. It reminds us that he is not indifferent to human suffering. In a world marked by injustice, inequality and pain, the promise of God’s justice is a comfort to those who feel helpless. God sees, hears and intervenes, even when we do not understand his methods or the timing of his action. This divine justice is not limited to an abstract concept, but manifests itself in concrete actions, as we see throughout the biblical story from creation to surrender,  and in our lives today.

The Psalm passage also shows us that God not only acts but also reveals himself; he is the Way and reveals his ways to Moses, who had a deep relationship with him. Moses not only knew God's mighty acts, such as the plagues of Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea, but he also understood his character and his purposes. God is not distant but wants to be known by his children.

This truth applies to us today. God continues to reveal himself through his Word, the circumstances of our lives and our service for the Kingdom. He invites us to know him more deeply, just as Moses did. But this requires an open and willing heart to love and serve. God's revelation is not only for our personal benefit, but also so that we can be instruments of his justice and love in the world.

Another important aspect is the relationship between justice and revelation. By acting on behalf of the oppressed, God demonstrates his character and his love. His actions are a form of revelation, showing that he is faithful, powerful and compassionate. When we experience his justice in our lives, we feel compelled to trust him more and share his goodness with others.

Finally, we are called to trust God's timing and ways. Moses faced times of doubt and difficulty, but God always kept his promises. In the same way, we may face situations that seem unjust or intractable, but we can rest in the certainty that God is acting on our behalf and revealing himself in surprising ways.

The Psalm teaches us that God is just, acts on behalf of the oppressed and reveals himself to us. Like Moses, may we seek to know him more deeply and trust in his justice, even when we do not understand his plans.

May his revelation transform our lives and inspire us to be agents of his love and justice in the world.

Fr. Sílvio Marques Sousa Santos, SJ is Director of  Servicio de Acción, Reflexión y Educación Social (SARES), in Brazil.