Reflection on Today's Readings, Saturday, 4th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1, and Memorial of St. Paul Miki and Companions, February 6th, 2021
Texts:Heb. 13:15-17.20-21; Ps. 27:1-5; Mark 6:30-34
Peace offering is a sacrifice we offer to preserve the peace between us and God; such offering is given in thanksgiving to God for His goodness and favours and to make Him continue to bestow His goodness and favours. Today's first reading reminds us that keeping peace with God is by acknowledging His saving acts and revelation of His will in Jesus Christ, and by doing His will. This is clear in the concluding prayer that the reason for emphasizing the sacrifices of praise and good works is to maintain peace with God. In the prayer it is said, "Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever." The prayer has two parts: the acknowledgement of God's saving action and the grace to do His will. His admonition also has the same two parts. The first is the sacrifice of praise, which is the acknowledgement of God's saving works in Jesus Christ. It is said, "Through Jesus let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." The praise, here, is acknowledgement of God in words or in songs, for it is called the fruit of lips, that is, proclaiming or singing the wonderful works of God, His love and mercy. It is a kind of spiritual sacrifice. Praising God here on earth, we are in communion with the hosts of heavenly angels that praise God, day and night.
The second is good works, called sacrifices pleasing to God. It is said, "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." Doing good work is doing the will of God.
We are also reminded, today, that obedience to our leaders is for our good. It is said, "Obey your leader and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do it joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you." Obedience to our leaders is a sacrifice we have to make for our salvation. Obedience brings about peace, which is the seed ground of holiness (James 3:18).
It reminds us that our disobedience to our pastors, priests, is for our own disadvantage; we are to make the work easy for them by our obedience. Let us make them happy doing their work. Let us cooperate with our pastors, priests, for the salvation of our souls. This is also applied to the civil authority. There is no need to make our nation ungovernable by disobedience, playing politics with issues and spreading false news. It will only make the situation worse than what it should be. There are always lawful ways of bringing leaders to orders.
The prayer, the reading, also reminds us that we should always look up to God for strength to do His will and to always work in us what is pleasing in His sight.
The saints, Paul Miki and his companions, whose memorial is today paid the supreme sacrifice for salvation; they were steadfast in faith till death. Jesus Christ, in today's gospel also shows us another form of sacrifice; though he was tired and needed rest, He continued to teach the people. His compassion gave Him the impetus to continue teaching them. In our own case, the love of God gives us the impetus to make sacrifices to Him: sacrifice of praise, sacrifice of good deeds, sacrifice of martyrdom, etc.
May the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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