MONDAY OF THE 17TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR
Mystery of the day: Joyful
Celebration: Ferial
Liturgical Colour: Green
Table of the Word
First Reading: Exodus 32:15–24, 30–34
Gospel: Matthew 13:31–35
Theme: Exchanging Glory for the image of a bull.
Reflection
Right from time immemorial, man has been an insatiable being. The crave in him and the desire of acquiring what is not important is often his priority. Importantly, he remains an unforgettable being when the going is tough, the glory of the past is being swept off by the wind of the present day challenges. No wonder, Søren Kierkegaard, a 19th-century Christian philosopher, also reflects on forgetfulness in his works, especially regarding spiritual truths, suggesting that people forget their divine origin and responsibilities.
It is against this backrrop that I invite you to reflect with me on the theme: "Exchanging Glory for the image of a bull," an extract from today's Psalm (cf. Psalm 106:19-20).
Amidst this weakness and fragility in humanity God in the course of today's reading reveals His nature as a "patience God." It also shows the extraordinary mercy of God amidst the ordinary failures of man.
How sudden do we tend to forget the goodness of the Lord? In the first reading, we have seen the scene of ingratitude and forgetfulness in humanity being displayed among the Israelites in their journey to the promised land (cf.Exodus 32:15–24, 30–34).
However, not quite long they mumurmed against Moses and Aaron for food and the Lord saying: ‘If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger!" (Exodus 16:4–36) and the Lord answered them.
Amidst this betrayal of trust and lack of patience exhibited by them, Moses pleads for them. He mirrors Christ’s own intercession for us. “If you will not forgive their sin, blot me out of your book,” he says (Exodus 32:2), a stunning image of sacrificial love. Even though they abandoned the glory bestowed upon them for the lifless image of the bull, God who is unfathomable merciful was not quick to abandon them. Similarly, in pur sutuation, even when we break the covenant, He provides a way back through the intercession of the faithful and through His abundant mercy. The gospel pericope on the other hand presents before us two parables: The parables of the mustard seed and the Leaven (cf. Matthew 13:31–35) Most outstandingly, the parable of the mustard seed: the smallest of all seeds, yet it becomes a large tree where birds can nest. By implication, even when sin abounds like in the case of the golden calf God’s Kingdom continues to grow quietly, almost invisibly, through the faithful obedience of a few. Moses, though just one man, stood between God and the sinful people. Like a mustard seed, his intercession bore fruit.
Beloved in Christ, as we continue our journey of faith, we are being exhorted to remain faithful in the dark, for the light will certainly come no matter how long it may seems to illumine the darkest night of our souls. Also, not to underestimate the power of small acts of faith, humble prayers, or the silent witness of a righteous life. For God builds His kingdom not through spectacle, but through hidden grace.
Finally, as today's readings invite us to repent where we have strayed, to intercede for those who fall, and to believe that God is still at work even in the hidden and quiet corners of life, while writing in a crooked line which only the eyes of faith can see.
+ Peace be with you.
© ARCHIVE 28072025
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