Reflection on Today's Readings and Memorial of St. Benedict, 14th Week in Ordinary Time Year II, Saturday 11th July, 2020
Texts: Is. 6:1-8; Ps. 93:1-2,5; Matt. 10:24-33
The angels, in today's first reading, declared: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory". The angels proclaimed two things about God: holiness and glory. Holiness is a divine quality; it is being set apart, godly, perfect and pure. When we talk of glory what comes to mind are riches, wealth, fame, honour and power, but this is mostly true when talk of glory in relation to man. Glory, in relation to God, is about his presence, manifestation and mighty deeds. Saying that the glory of God fills the whole earth is to emphasize God's presence and manifestation everywhere in the earth; it means his mighty deeds are wrought in the whole earth. The psalmist says, "How clearly the sky reveals God's glory! How plainly it shows what he has done! Each day announces it to the following day; each night repeats it to the next. No speech or words are used, no sound is heard; yet their message goes out to all the world and is heard to the ends of the earth"(19:1-4).
Jesus Christ is the perfect glory of God, for he is the perfect manifestation of God. It is written thus: "He (Jesus) reflects the the brightness of God's glory and is exact likeness of his own being, sustaining the universe with his powerful word" (Heb.1:3).
Jesus Christ, in today's gospel, reminds us that we are to reflect God's glory on earth, for he says, "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master, it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master". being like Christ is to reflect God's glory. Reflecting God's glory means proclaiming the gospel. Hence, in the first reading, Isaiah was sentforth to proclaim what he had seen and Heard. Jesus Christ also tells us his disciples, in the gospel, to reveal what is covered and to make known what is hidden. He adds thus: "What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops". Jesus Christ tells us that reflecting God's glory will come with persecution and challenging moment. St. Peter explains this Thus: "Happy are you if you are insulted because you are Christ's followers; this means that the Spirit, the glorious Spirit of God, is resting on you" (1Pet. 4:14). Jesus Christ encourages us not to fear when the moment comes; he tells us that we are of great value before him and his Father.
Lord Jesus, may our desire always be to reveal your glory on earth, without minding the challenges there in. Amen.
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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