The Word: . "Thus says the LORD: Even so will I spoil the pride of and the great pride of . This evil people, who refuse to hear my words, who stubbornly follow their own heart and have gone after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be lie this waistcloth, which is good for nothing." (see Jeremiah 13:1-11)
Mystery of the day: Joyful
Celebration of the day: St. Martha
Our Lord Jesus Christ liked the home of Martha, her brother Lazarus, and her sister Mary. As our Lord's friends in , they took loving care of Him. We should ask God to help us unite Martha's intense work and Mary's contemplation. In this way, we live unity of life by which we always stay close to the Lord.
Table of the Word: I R.: Jeremiah 13:1-11
Resp. Psalm: Deuteronomy 32:18-19.20.21 (R. see 18b)
Verse before the Gospel: James 1:18
Gospel: Matthew 13:31-35
Inspiration:
It was Confucius who said that: "Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues." and the author of the Book of Proverbs affirmed that: "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18).
In the light of this thoughtful thinking, it is obvious that pride in its world opposed the virtue of self-abasement of our weaknesses and short-comings.
In today's first reading, God asked Prophet Jeremiah to carry out an assignment which will in turn aimed at teaching us the emptiness of self-pride which has disobedience, hatred, envy and all other vices as its product.
Here God frowns at our obstinacy in sin and outward show of our emptiness in the guise of vain glory and fame.
However, to what extent will these vices lead to, bearing in mind that there is nothing absolutely that we can call our own that we were not given by God; not by our own merit but by God's amazing Grace which surpasses every human intellect.
Therefore we ought to be humble as humility is the ability to learn from others, to recognize our own limitations, and to appreciate the value of others' contributions. That is why St. Paul in his epistle to the Philippians Church says: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." (Philippians 2:3) Imbibing with this attitude will win us God's blessing and favours against His position in today's first reading:
"Thus says the LORD: Even so will I spoil the pride of and the great pride of . This evil people, who refuse to hear my words, who stubbornly follow their own heart and have gone after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be lie this waistcloth, which is good for nothing." (see Jeremiah 13:1-11)
As we celebrate the memorial of St. Martha the sister to Lazarus and Mary whose life was defined by the virtue of humility and loving gesture. We are exhort to live out these Gospel values for the sanctification of our souls.
Peace be with you!
Let us pray
Almighty ever-living God, whose Son was pleased to be welcomed in Saint Martha’s house as a guest, grant, we pray, that through her intercession, serving Christ faithfully in our brothers and sisters, we may merit to be received by you in the halls of heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
© The ARCHIVE 29072024
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