A Light For UsTo Follow

 

We are to love one another.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Saturday of 12th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, July 1st, 2023
Texts: Genesis 18:1-15; Psalm Luke1:46-50.53-55; Matthew 8:5-17)

We live in a world where we take advantage of one another. A superior takes advantage of his subordinates. This is also true within family. The centurion of today’s gospel reading is a light for us to follow. He teaches us to care for one another without minding status, social class, race, etc. We are to love one another. The centurion came to look for Jesus because of his servant who was sick. By that single act we can see his touch with humanity. He came to be the voice of the needy, the voice of the weak and sick. 

We also need to know that the servant must have been faithful to his master. We learn from the servant to be faithful in service. Faithfulness to God is also expected from us. The Faithfulness of the servant earned him the love of his master. Faithfulness to God also earns us the love of God.  

A display of humility in the centurion

We also see a display of humility in the centurion. This manifests in his words: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” His humility is so great. There is also a manifestation of deep faith in the words. Hence, Jesus said to the people, “Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness”. 

We see in today’s first reading the revival of the hope of Abraham and Sarah. The Lord fanned into flame the faith of Abraham and Sarah. The Lord said, “Why did Sarah laugh, and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, in the spring, and Sarah shall have a son.” With God never say it is over until Himself says so. Sarah thought bearing a child was over but God said it was not over. 

The hospitality of Abraham is also something to learn from. Let us be hospitable to people far and near, acquaintances and strangers.  

Prayer

Lord our God, grant that we may be humble and faithful in service to God and humanity; heal us of pride, vain glory and disobedience. Amen  

HAPPY NEW MONTH AND JOYFUL CROSS OVER TO THE SECOND HALF OF YEAR 2023. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO SHOW YOU HIS LOVE AND CARE. AMEN  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke