Standing on the Side of God

Reflection on Today's Readings, 10th Week in Ordinary Time Year II, Wednesday 10th June, 2020

Texts: 1Kgs.18:20-39; Ps. 16:1,2a,4,58,11; Mtt. 5:17-19

There is no better side to stand than the side of God. He who is with God is above all; he is more than majority. We are not to be afraid to stand on the side of God; he will always vindicate us. Standing against majority has always been the lot of anyone who is ready to serve God. Whoever is not ready to stand against majority is not ready to serve God. Their ways of life often set them apart and against the people of their time. Today's first reading bears testimony to this. Elijah stood against the people of his time; he stood against four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. He challenged them and God vindicated him. Elijah convinced them beyond reasonable doubt that the God of Israel is the only true God.

Standing alone with God takes a lot of courage, perseverance and determination. It comes with the temptation to relax the divine rules that guide us. Hence, Jesus Christ reminds us thus: "Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall become least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven". Jesus Christ calls us to be like him who has come to fulfill the commandments. Christian life is a fulfilment of God's commandments. Fulfilling the commandments of God becomes our goal in this life.

Lord Jesus Christ, enlighten our intellect to understand your commandments and strengthen our will to live by them. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke