Reflection on Today's Readings, Thursday of 14th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1, July 8th, 2021
Texts: Genesis 44:18-21.23b-29; 45:1-5; Ps. 105:16-21; Mtt. 10:7-15
The awareness of God’s providence helps to accept life challenges. Some people who refuse to go or fail to accept what life throws at them are those who fail to acknowledge the providence of God in their life. Joseph was able to let go and forgive his brothers because he recognised the hands of God in the events of his life. He said to his brothers, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.”
The failure to recognise the providence of God in our lives and in the world has led to strife, war, hatred, terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and armed robbery. When we have lost sight of God's providence, we will fight at every provocation, we will always react to every little offence. We may even find it difficult to forgive ourselves for any mistakes we might have made. When we fail to see the hands of God in life events, we will turn against ourselves.
The recognition that it is God that takes care of us helps us to live a simple life and to deal with one another kindly. Jesus Christ wants His heralds to acknowledge the providence of God and so He wants them to be detached from material things. He says, _"Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the labourer deserves his food."_ When they are detached, they will learn to look up to God, rather than themselves.
Jesus Christ also reminds us, today, that whatever we have in Christ are given to us freel. We are saved in Christ not at our own cost but at His own cost. Those who engage in the works of salvation are not also to live at their own cost; they are to be cared for by the people, so that they can give without charge. This is to show that the works of salvation are not means of earning living. The message of the kingdom is free, the raising of the dead is free, cleansing of the lepers is free and casting out of the demons is free. Salvation is free in Jesus Christ.
Having made salvation free in Jesus Christ, we have no excuse not to be saved. Hence, He says, _"And if any one will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgement for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.”_ Therefore, let us embrace the opportunity we have in Jesus Christ that we might save our souls.
Lord our God, we thank You for making salvation free in Jesus Christ, Your Son, grant that we may make use of the opportunity we have in Him. Amen.
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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