MONDAY OF THE 32nd WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)
Mystery of the day: Joyful
Table of the Word: Titus 1:1-9; Luke 17:1-6
"Who shall climb the mountain of the LORD? Who shall stand in his holy place? The clean of hands and pure of heart, whose soul is not set on vain things." (Psalm 24:3-4ab)
Theme: Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?
Reflection for the day
The theme of today's reflection "Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? is an extract from the Psalm. It is a popular text, which occasionally some people misunderstood it.
The text is a reminder of our end and the beginning of the life to come; which the author of the book of Maccabees in the story of the martyrdom of those seven young men made reference to in the second reading of yesterday (cf. 2 Maccabees 7:1-2.9-14).
Today, the Psalmist puts before us this fundamental question in the second stanza:
"Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?"
Biblically, mountains have a logical religious symbolism for Jewish and Christian cultures since they are “closer to God” who dwells in the heavens. As a result, God often reveals himself on a mountaintop. This Mountain therefore represents God's abode, or His dwelling where we hope to see Him as He really is.
However, how prepared are we to go up to this mountain? Evangelist Luke in the gospel pericope gave us a direct answer from the Lord:
"Take heed to yourselves; if your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him; and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, and says, 'I repent,' you must forgive him." (Luke 17:3-4)
We need to let go the hurt of our brothers, to embrace peace and seek for peace always so as to live in harmony with one another. If we fail, then we have lost the ticket to this mountain. Above all, we need to love one another without cost or sentiment. This of course, the fulcrum of our Christian calling.
Finally, let us not set our hearts on vain glory which are temporary but on heavy realities which will grant us the befitting place before our God. Peace, be with you!
Let us pray
Merciful Lord, we thank You for the wonders of Your creation. We give You glory for the provision, care and love. We beseech Thee O! Lord to grant us the grace to live above our weaknesses so that we may be able to behold the beatific vision when this earthly dwellings must have passed away. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
© The ARCHIVE 07112022
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