Lord Wishes to Save Us!
23rd week Monday in Ordinary Time
Year One
Col 1:24-2:3
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your
sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions
for the sake of his body, that is, the church. I became its servant according
to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully
known, the mystery that has been hidden
throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great
among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ
in you, the hope of glory. It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and
teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in
Christ. For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully
inspires within me… For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you,
and for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me face to face. I want their hearts to be encouraged and
united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding
and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ himself, in whom are
hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col 1:24-2:3).
Meditation
St Paul has passion for preaching
the word of God. He met Jesus on the way to Damascus. This experience
transformed him. It was a lasting experience of Jesus. It was downfall of pride
and growth in the humility of Jesus. The image of Jesus is perfectly formed in
him. He lived and toiled to make that image of Christ be formed among the Gentiles and the nations. He was able to inspire them through his preaching,
travelling, living and writing. He moved everyone to Christ the Saviour of us
all. For St Paul Christ is alive and each one has to grow in Christ. It is not
enough to have the knowledge of Christ but to be mature in him. To be mature in
him would mean to put on Christ and to part take in the paschal mystery of
Christ, which is the way to redemption as persons and as community of God.
Do we consider ourselves as the
servants of Jesus to proclaim his message?
Year Two
1 Cor 5:1-8
Lord Wishes to Save Us!
There are many ways of sexual
deviations among the people. St Paul warns a man sleeping with his father’s
wife. He communicates to the community to take care of him and that he
overcomes his desires of the flesh, and that his spirit may be saved on the day
of the Lord. St Paul does not condemn him but wishes for his renewal, and he may
be saved on the day of the Lord. Every kind of weakness and temptation may pass
and overcome the evil inclinations with the grace of God.
God gives grace and means to all
those who struggle and make an effort to live good lives. To live in the Lord,
a holy and blameless one has to let the old pass and move to the new. One has
to give up the old ways that are not helpful and welcome new means and new ways
to live in the Lord. The Lord will provide opportunities and means to live a
life worthy of him. Let us be humble and take up every weakness and failure as
human beings who require God’s grace.
Are we aware of the possibility
of means of Grace?
Lk 6:6-11
Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it
lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save life or to destroy
it?” After looking around at all of
them, he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was
restored (Lk 6:9-10).
The Jews were upset that Jesus
restored the withered hand of a person on the sabbath. It was unlawful for the
Jewish people. They see the law and only the law; they are blind to the fact
that the law is meant to uplift and to do good to the people. They have
forgotten about the law and its good, and are worried about the observance of the
law. A law can have exceptions if there is a possibility of a greater good. We need to see the good in the law and its
benefits, and we should be able to go beyond the law for our own good and the good
of others with the grace of discernment for greater good in the Lord.
Do I see beyond the law for greater good in Spirit?
Fr Putti Anthaiah, sdb
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