“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Daily Reflections
Thursday, 3rd August 2017.
Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
Ex 40: 16-21, 34-38;
Ps 84: 2-5, 7, 10 (R) 1;
Mt. 13: 47-53.
THE DRAGNET OF THE KINGDOM
Jesus in today’s gospel teaches his disciples to choose the path of wisdom with the help a parable. He compares the world to a vast sea, and men in their natural state are like the fishes. Preaching the gospel is like casting a net into this sea, to catch something out of it, for his glory. The people who have found their treasure in Christ will be chosen to live with him forever. The skillful, faithful minister of the gospel; a scribe, well versed in the gospel, and who is able to teach the values of the gospel. Christ compares him to a good householder whose old experiences and new observations, are all useful to preach that good news about that great pearl Jesus Christ whom the scribe discovered. Jesus teaches us that he is the precious treasure. The one who finds Him will never be lost and will be like the wise scribe who knows to use all his knowledge for the glory of God.
Also, In our day and age SIN is becoming continually more accepted and “normal.” Our worldwide culture seems to be growing steadily more secular. Immoral living of many types appears to be on the rise. As a result, it is easy for us to start seeing sin as normal and even acceptable. In fact, when we name sin as sin, our world often calls us judgmental and hateful. It could be the very subtle cultural practice of turning the Lord’s Day (Sunday) into anything but a day of rest. Or it could be grave violations to the sanctity of married and family life through the redefinition of marriage. Each of us will certainly notice various ways in which we feel our faith is challenged and even attacked. Jesus is serious about sin and the consequences of sin. That should inspire us to not only live holy lives, but also to do all we can to assist those caught up in the disordered cultural tendencies to change their lives.
Reflect, today, on how strongly you are opposed to sin. Sin is evil and destructive. You must always love the person who commits sin, but you ought never offer support or approval for their actions that are contrary to the law of God. Standing strong in the face of cultural opposition is a great act of love and may free some, one day, from the “wailing and grinding of teeth” of which Jesus spoke. Are you a witness of the Gospel, leading people from the sin, to the shores of the Kingdom?
Prayer: Lord, where sin abounds grace abounds all the more. Your grace is so needed today in our world and in my life. Help me to stay strong in my opposition to evil and sin so as to be among those who are gathered into Your Kingdom. Give me courage to do all I can to help those on the path of destruction. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
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