Tuesday, September 09, 2014

 

Wednesday 23rd Week in Ordinary Time

September 10, 2014
Wednesday 23rd Week in Ordinary Time

1 Cor 7:25-31 / Ps 45:11-12, 14-15, 16-17 / Lk 6:20-26   
   
Reading: 1 Cor 7:25-31
With regard to those who remain virgins, I have no special commandment from the Lord, but I give some advice, hoping that I am worthy of trust by the mercy of the Lord. I think this is good in these hard times in which we live. It is good for someone to remain as he is. If you are married, do not try to divorce your wife; if you are not married, do not marry. He who marries does not sin, nor does the young girl sin who marries. Yet they will face disturbing experiences, and I would like to spare you. I say this, brothers and sisters: time is running out, and those who are married must live as if not married; those who weep as if not weeping; those who are happy as if they were not happy; those buying something as if they had not bought it, and those enjoying the present life as if they were not enjoying it. For the order of this world is vanishing.   

Gospel: Luke 6:20-26
Then looking at his disciples, Jesus said,  "Fortunate are you who are poor, the kingdom of God is yours." Fortunate are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Fortunate are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Fortunate are you when people hate you, when they reject you and insult you and number you among criminals, because of the Son of Man.  Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. Remember that is how the ancestors of this people treated the prophets. But alas for you who have wealth, for you have been comforted now. Alas for you who are full, for you will go hungry. Alas for you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Alas for you when people speak well of you, for that is how the ancestors of these people treated the false prophets

Reflection:
     In the first reading, St. Paul is reminding us that time is short and the world is passing away. So we must not be too concerned about affairs of the world. That is why he recommends a celibate life for those who feel a calling to it – in order to be able to devote one's full attention to the Lord. We know that St. Paul was single (whether unmarried or a widower is not clear) so he could go on his missionary journeys without being worried about taking care of a wife and kids. He expended all his energy to serving the Lord and God blessed his undertakings. 
     In the gospel, Jesus is telling us that what the world desires or thinks is important is not important for God. For Jesus, to be poor, hungry, weeping, hated, abused and persecuted are sources of true happiness. How strange this would seem to us!  In fact, one cannot explain it unless we look at the lives of Jesus, the prophets and the patriarchs. They all suffered physical deprivation and maltreatment yet we look up to them as examples of holiness and uprightness. The language of the cross is folly for pagans, but for us believers it is the source of our salvation. When we encounter sufferings, we must offer them to the Lord who will turn our sorrow to joy. We suffer in our bodies what is still needed to make up for our sins and the sins of other people. We should be happy if we are deemed worthy of suffering for Christ.

Prayer Requests:
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
… for families who are in need of healing.
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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