Monday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time of the Year (C)
Mystery of the day: Joyful
Celebration: Feast of St. James
Texts: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15; Matthew 20:20-28
Theme: With God, we are more than conquerors
"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies." (2 Corinthians 4:7ff.)
The challenges and tribulations of man cannot be quantified. The wind of life tosses him to and fro, sometimes his eyes refuse sleep, as the night becomes too long with no hope of dawn. When the dawn eventually sets in, tribulations return with greetings. Amidst these situations, St. Paul in his letter to the Cburch in Rome reminded us that, what we are passing through cannot be compared to the future glory awaiting us. (cf. Romans 8:18)
In the light of this, that the first reading from the liturgy of the word reassures us of God's continuous love and care for us in difficult moments.
"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies." (2 Corinthians 4:7ff.)
As we are being pushed by the situation of life, let our trust hang solely on God, for He is ever ready and conscious of our problems.
To crown it all, the psalmist reechoeed the joy of a farmer on return from harvest, with the bountiful harvest, the pains of tilling, weeding and nurturing of the crops are forgotten.
"Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap." (Psalm 126).
And he went further to describe God's love of His people through His salvific power over the Israelites from their captives.
"When the LORD brought back the exiles of Sion, we thought we were dreaming. Then was our mouth filled with laughter; on our tongues, songs of joy."
Therefore, beloved in Christ, as we celebrate the feast of St. James today, one of the leading figures in the college of the apostles who bore witness to Christ despite challenges and tribulations, even to the point of his death. Let us rejoice and be glad, for we are not alone in the crowd for the hand of God is upon us. Peace! Be with you.
Let us pray
Almighty and eternal God, great is Your faithfulness and love. We beseech Thee to give us the grace to hold on to You as the beginning and end of it all, so that when the wind of life blows we will deal not fall way, but lean on you. Through Cbrist our Lord. Amen.
© The ARCHIVE 25072022
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