The Word: "He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me." (Luke 10:13-16)
Mystery of the day: Sorrowful
Celebration of the day: St. Francis of Assisi
(1182-1226). Born in Assisi (Italy). He lived and preached a life of poverty and love of God to all men. He founded the religious Order of the Franciscans; with St. Clare, the Order of the Poor Clares; and the Third Order for lay people.
Table of the Word: I R.: Job 38:1.12-21; 40:3-5
Resp. Psalm: Psalm 139:1-3.7-8.9-10.13-14ab (R. 24b)
Verse before the Gospel: Psalm 95
Gospel: Luke 10:13-16
Inspiration: Beloved in Christ good morning with God's choicest blessings! It is with joy that I welcome you to the dawn of this new day in God's name whom we live, move and have our being. In our reflection today, we will bare our minds on: "conversion" that is accepting the Word of God as it is without compromising to suit our comfort zone.
The first reading gives insight into how God responded to Job's questions, emphasizing divine sovereignty and wisdom. That is His (God) response from the whirlwind (v. 1): God's powerful presence confronting Job's doubts; Challenges to Job's understanding (vv. 2-5): God questions Job's knowledge and perspective; Creation and divine control (vv. 6-11): God highlights His mastery over the universe; and Limits of human knowledge (vv. 12-21): God emphasizes the mysteries beyond human comprehension.
While on the other hand, we have also seen Job's humility which come to play in the scenario by acknowledging his insignificance before God; God's rebuke and resolveness on the path of Job. (cf. Job 40:5)
However, this call to mind God's sovereignty in relation to our limitations. And as such the Gospel pericope invites us to a life of humility by a accepting God's words and His messengers (cf. Luke 10:13-16)
By implication, one cannot say that he or she is humble before God without accepting the Word of God and he who brings it forth. This virtue is expressed in Job's acknowledgement of his limitations and then his acceptelance of the power of the Divine.
Today, in a very special way we also have an outstanding figure of faith - St. Francis of Assisi whom we are celebrating. A man who accepted the gospel wholeheartedly, known for his humility, and abandonment to God's will to become poor. In the same spirit that we are invited to this self-giving-out as Francis did; for it is in doing this that we will come to the understanding that God is always there for us and He knows us through and through as the Psalmist proclaimed today. (cf. Psalm 139:1-3.7-8.9-10.13-14ab (R. 24b) Peace be with you!
Let us pray
O God, by whose gift Saint Francis was conformed to Christ in poverty and humility, grant that, by walking in Francis’ footsteps, we may follow your Son, and, through joyful charity, come to be united with you. 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 04102024
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