Keeping the Memory of God’s Deeds

 

Forgetfulness of God’s deeds is dangerous to our faith.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, 11th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A, June 18th, 2023 Texts: Exodus 19:2-6a; Psalm 100: 1-2.3.5; Romans 5:5-11; Matthew 9:36-10:8

Keeping the memory of God’s deeds is very important. We know this because God asked Moses to remind His people of His deeds. God says, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the sons of Israel: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” Remembering the deeds of God from time to time strengthen our faith and love for God. This is because it affirms how much God loves us, how much our salvation costs Him. It also affirms His almighty power, wisdom, majesty and glory.  

In today’s second reading apostle Paul is convinced of God’s love by keeping the memory of Christ’s passion. He says, “While we were yet helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man - though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”  

By the memory of Christ’spassion, apostle Paul also has the assurance of salvation. In his words: “Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”  

Forgetfulness of God’s deeds is dangerous to our faith

The more we recall God’s deeds, the more convinced we become of His power and love. If it is of no use to us, God will not bother to remind the people. He did it not for Himself but for us. We run the risk of losing our faith when we do not keep the deeds of God in our hearts. Forgetfulness of God’s deeds is dangerous to our faith.  In the book of Judges we read, “and another generation grew up after them, who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and worshiped the Baals” (Judges 2:10-11). 

It is also good to know that without memory there is no identity. Identity is what we have proved to be consistently over time; it is not just about what we are now. Our identity is not even just about us, it is also about our parents, our family lineage. 

Keeping the memory of God’s deeds also includes passing it on from generation to generation. Hence, God says, “And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deut. 6:6-7).  

Some people occupy the first place in the heart of God

Keeping memory of God’s deeds also includes spreading the message far and near. Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.” We also learn today that some people occupy the first place in the heart of God. These are people who are in covenant with God. 

In today’s first reading God says, “Now therefore, if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples; for all the earth is mine, and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests  and a holy  nation.” Jesus, in today’s gospel reading, says, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”  

Prayer  

O God, strength of those who hope in you, graciously hear our pleas, and, since without you mortal frailty can do nothing, grant us always the help of your grace, that in following your commands we may please you by our resolve and our deeds. Amen  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke