We hear in the Old Testament how the prophet Zephaniah tells the Jews to seek integrity, humility and to take refuge in God. In our comings and goings, we are consumed by all things external and do not notice that our Father is in our midst and gently prompting and waiting for our response. If we believe what is proclaimed by the prophet then surely we will be able to “graze and rest” in the name of the Lord.
Sometimes, we behave like the Greeks who sought knowledge or the Jews who sought miracles, and do not have the habit to intentionally seek God our Father. More often we depend on our own intellect and will to go about our everyday life. Today’s readings remind us of our Father’s promise of salvation and to maintain an attitude of humility and openness so as to receive everything from Him.
In the second reading, St Paul tells the Corinthians that the world might consider our path of seeking God our Father as a foolish one. Just look at the fishermen, the tax collectors, the prostitute, the adulteress whom Jesus called as disciples and apostles! What an unlikely composition of people, yet they have accomplished much more than it is thought possible. The Church of Corinth was formed from ordinary people and this was their strength. This should give us hope that in our ordinariness, just like the people in the past, we are called! We are called to be holy and to be set apart to fulfil a purpose to be one with our Father and because of this relationship to proclaim the Gospel, evangelising to the world. We have a mission to fulfil if we have a relationship with our Father!
The Gospel today offers us an insight to following Jesus through the Beatitudes. It requires us to think and act differently from what the world tells us. To give up the wealth, pleasure, power and honour, and to make Christ our priority is a tall order. Jesus calls us to “empty out” ourselves so that we may receive all the blessings reserved for us. Let us seek out the “who” and not the “what” as God our Father renewed His promise of love for us through Jesus.
Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life for everyone who desires to follow him. He gave us the divine blessing not in the way the world sees it. We should listen with great attentiveness to our Father’s call; just knowing how He has personally called each of us shows how much we are loved. How awesome is this?
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart, and appointed you a prophet to the nations!” (Jeremiah 1:5).
Marian
Ministry of Lectors