Lord, Purify Our Hearts!

 

13th week Monday in Ordinary Time

Year One

Gen 18:16-33

Lord, Purify Our Hearts!

After sharing a meal with Abraham, the Lord and two angels set out toward Sodom. As they go, God reveals to Abraham His plan to investigate the outcry against Sodom’s sin. Abraham then engages God in a bold negotiation, asking whether He would spare the city if 50, 45, 40, 30, 20, or even 10 righteous people could be found there. Each time, God affirms that He will not destroy the city for the sake of the righteous.

This passage calls us to consider how we respond to injustice around us. Do we merely observe, or do we intercede and advocate? Are we willing to wrestle with God in prayer, especially for the sake of others? And do we trust that God's justice is always tempered by mercy?

It also asks us to be the "righteous few" in our communities—those who can stand in the gap, influence society through integrity, and plead for grace where brokenness exists.

Would you like a prayer, poem, or devotional format based on this reflection?

Year Two

Amos 2:6-10, 13-16

Meditation

Let Us Purify Ourselves

In the time of Amos and even now, human beings exploit the Innocent for their advantage.  The poor are used for their benefit; even the little that belongs to them is looted mercilessly. Humans continue to live an impure life. They profane the holy and sin against God. We do not condemn human beings because of their weaknesses. Living in sin is detestable, and such lives do not please God.

The Lord will be harsh not with failings and weakness in their life, but with those who do not make an effort to change and transform their lives for the better. The transformation and cleansing of oneself are ongoing. As one has to clean his/her living space on a daily basis, in the same manner, one has to clean and purify himself/herself. Purification is the only possible way to live a healthy life. Let us approach the sacraments, the Word of God and daily moments of prayers like vocal prayers and ejaculations as means of purification and sanctification.

What are the steps we take to purify our hearts?

Mt 8:18-22

 A scribe then approached and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”  And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” (Mt 8:19-20)

Jesus had a home in Nazareth. He left home to preach, teach and heal. He was active in his ministry and had no place to go. He was moving from place to place, eating, drinking and staying wherever possible. To follow him means to have no security. What is the security we can have in life? What is secure in life? We may have assets and money as security, but they are nothing in the plan of God. To the Christian and to priests and religious, the only security is Jesus and his life. The dependence on God is permanent, whereas people and possessions can only provide transient security. Just like the rich man whose barns were full said to himself, O my soul, eat and drink and make merry but the very night the Lord called him. What is the use of riches and worldly security?

What is the security you look for in following Jesus?

Fr. Putti Anthaiah sdb

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