God called Abram to be blameless

 

We become blameless by love in Christ. 

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Friday of 12th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, June 30th, 2023
Texts: Genesis 17:1.9-10.15; Psalm 128:1-5; Matthew 8: 1-4 

God told Abram to walk before Him and be blameless. This command is for everyone who desires a relationship with God. God instructed His people through Moses thus: “Be holy, for I am holy.” Apostle Paul also teaches us that our calling in Christ is to be blameless before God. He says, “He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love” (Eph. 1:4). Just as God called Abram to be blameless, so also He calls us to be blameless in Christ. We become blameless by love in Christ.  

During the time of Abram there was no law. What it meant for Abram to be blameless is stated thus: “Trust in the Lord and do good” (Psalm 37:3). The word of God also makes us blameless. In the words of the Psalm: “How can young people keep their way pure? By guarding it according to your word” (Psalm 119:9). We will be blameless if we walk according to God’s word.  

I will; be clean.

We learn from today’s gospel reading that Jesus is always willing to cleanse us and make us blameless. We read, “a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.’ And he stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean.’” Touching a leper is a means of contracting leprosy. Jesus touched the leper to take away his leprosy. Jesus assumed our human nature to take away our sins. Hence, we are blameless by the grace of Christ.  

Prayer

Lord God, we ask for Your grace to be blameless; help to live by Your words, that we may be blameless before You; may we not wander away from Your love. Amen  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke