The
Word: Isaiah 58:9-14 and Luke 5:27-32
Theme:
Follow
Me.
Reflection: The theme above forms the central message of today’s gospel pericope when Christ
met with Matthew, the Levi and a tax collector. Though Evangelist Luke did not
make him known as “Matthew” and Mark in his gospel identified him as son of
Alpheus, and Matthew himself in his account made known the true identity of the
said tax collector as “Matthew”.
However,
we are being told in today’s gospel reading that, when Christ called him
(Matthew), he got up, left everything and followed him. In this penitential
season, this same call is what God has placed before us through the Church, for
us to let go those things that build walls against our relationship with God
and fellow humans.
The
first reading drawing from the prophecy of Isaiah draws our attention to those
areas of our lives which put us in the right track such as: giving alms to the
poor, keeping the holy day sacred, etc. These admonitions follow words of
blessing from the Lord saying: “Then you will call and the Lord will answer,
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!” (Isaiah 58:9).
My
dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, this is yet another opportunity for us
to give a right response to this divine call; by letting go those things that
mar our relationship with God. Though due to the pleasure, and not “happiness”
we derive from these things, it may be a bit difficult to leave them behind.
But let us be reminded that there is “no crown without cross”. If we really
need the mercy of God, something must be left behind.
Therefore,
as we journey with the Lord these forty days, let us pray to God to assist us
with the grace to give a positive response to this universal call to holiness. O!
That today you would listen to His voice, harden not your hearts. Peace be with you!
THOUGHT
FOR TODAY
“We
can appease God by following the instructions which he Himself has given us:
God is satisfied by our deeds; we are cleansed from our sins by the merits of
mercy”
-
St. Cyprian of Carthage
© ARCHIVE 08032025
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