“And he said: “What comes out of a man is what defiles a man” (Mark 7:20-RSV)
Reflection
Social media’s insidious nature is the impression of safety—the entitlement to say anything without regard to unity.
Many decent hearts become stubborn and go astray in the realm of social media (cf Psalm 95:8-10), trading wisdom and unity for pride and “likes.”
Today’s Intention: Lord, give us the wisdom to pray before we post, to reflect on the impact on our soul, others, and unity.
Peace and Goodness
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 – JON 3:1-5, 10
Responsorial Psalm – PS 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Reading 2 – 1 COR 7:29-31
Gospel – MK 1:14-20
In his faithfulness, God cannot help but warn us when we are in peril of losing our souls. This is the reason why He always sends his prophets to get our attention, as when he sent the prophet Jonah to warn the people of Nineveh “Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and announce to it the message that I will tell you” (JON 3:2).
God did likewise with the disciple Paul who warned the Corinthians “I tell you, brothers, the time is running out…For the world in its present form is passing away”
(1 COR 7:29, 31).
Of course, no other prophet embodies God’s faithfulness as His Son does. Unlike Jonah, Christ never said no to God. Unlike Paul, He never persecuted Christians. Christ’s whole human existence was a bright light to point us to salvation. It was through that light that He worked wonders as He did for Paul on the road to Damascus – the conversion we celebrate today.
In His Son, we get a glimpse of God’s mercy and fidelity. These are the same graces Christ sought from the disciples when He called them to join Him “Come after me”
(MK 1:17).
By being relentlessly faithful, God is always willing to give us mercy if we ask “Teach me your ways, O Lord” (PS 25:4a). When we do so as the Ninevites did, His hearts bursts with forgiveness “When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil he had threatened to do to the them, he did not carry it out”
(JON 3:10).
It is up to us now to listen to God’s words so we, too, like the Ninevites, the Corinthians, and the apostles cannot only heed the words of God, but also imitate His faithful deeds.
Readings:
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
Psalm 85:9-14
2 Peter 3:8-14
Mark 1:1-8
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD” (Isaiah 40:3).
Our hearts are the wilderness God wants to prepare for his return. To fulfill his desire for us, we must not just make a path for him, we must build a highway; one that can receive his glorious salvation. We must level the mountains and hills blocking the radiance of his light. We must smooth the rough edges, which like the crown of thorns placed on Christ, are our cause of pain and suffering (cf. Isaiah 40:1-4). Only “[T]hen the glory of the LORD shall be revealed” (Isaiah 40:5).
God wants to grant us salvation; he wants to show us his mercy. This is why he sent his son so we could experience a living example of kindness and truth, justice and peace. These four conditions are necessary means to prepare for the Lord’s coming (cf. Psalm 85:11-15).
We cannot assume that we can put off our preparedness for tomorrow; like a thief, God’s arrival is unknown (cf. 2 Peter 3:10). Therefore, it is important that while we wait, we do what we can “to be found without spot or blemish before him” (2 Peter 3:14).
God, however, expects more from us that just to be prepared. God wants us to evangelize others, just as John the Baptist did, to prepare them to receive him (cf. Mark 1:2-3). We cannot hoard God’s message of salvation. He meant for us to share it the same way he shared his son with us.
– God, I give my heart to you this day; may you will it to please you.
(Commentary on 8/4/14 readings)
“And Jeremiah the prophet said to Hananiah the prophet: Listen to this, Hananiah! The LORD has not sent you” (Jeremiah 28:15).
In today’s scriptures we hear two very different stories but both share one theme: trust the Lord.
In the Book of Jeremiah (28:1-17), we hear about a false prophet, Hananiah, claiming to speak on behalf of God. Instead of being anxious about this event, Jeremiah calmly rebukes the false message. Why was Jeremiah so confident? Because Jeremiah trusted God’s words on false prophets, “do not fear him” (Deuteronomy 18:22).
In today’s gospel Matthew (14:22-36), Jesus invites Peter to walk with him on the waters. Peter accepts the invitation, but midway through his walk, Peter doubts Jesus’ command and begins to go under until Jesus pulls him out. Jesus goes on to chide Peter: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31b).
Why are their reactions so different? .
Today’s scriptures are meant to contrast Jeremiah’s and Peter’s trust in the Lord; not to measure their righteousness, but to celebrate their humanity and to offer us hope.
Regardless of where we stand in relationship with the Lord, there are occasional failures and successes. Nonetheless, if we persevere and always ask: “Lord, teach me your statutes” (Psalm 119:68b), the Lord will show us how to trust in him as he taught Jeremiah and Peter.
— God, I give my heart to you this day; may you will it to please you.–
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