All the words which the Lord has spoken we will do

 

A family is a home for Jesus when the members live in love and peace.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Saturday of 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, July 29th, 2023
Texts: Exodus 24:3-8; Psalm 50: 1-6.14-15; John 11:19-27 

We learn from today’s first reading that the relationship with God is not out of compunction; it is out of freewill. We choose to go into relationship with God. This is clear in the reading as Moses sought the consent of the people in regards to God’s words. We read, “Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the ordinances; and all the people answered with one voice, and said, ‘All the words which the Lord has spoken we will do.’” The essence of our freedom is to choose God at all times.  

The other part of the relationship with God is the sealing. The covenant between the people and God is sealed with the blood of animal. We read, “And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he threw against the altar. .. And Moses took the blood and threw it up on the people, and said, ‘Behold the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.’” This points to the blood of Christ through which God sealed the new covenant.  

We have no excuse not to have faith in the covenant

The covenant between us and God is sealed with the blood of the Son of God. The blood of the Son of God is the guarantee for the covenant between us and God.  Hence, the covenant is divinely secured; it has a stable and true foundation. The salvation and promises it contains cannot fail. We have no excuse not to have faith in the covenant; it is sure. 

Today is the memorial of Martha and Lazarus; they were relations to Mary and they supported Jesus Christ in His mission here on earth. They were good friends of Jesus. Today’s gospel reading tells us the visit of Jesus to the family after the death of Lazarus.  Martha had a profound faith in Jesus as she saw Jesus to be more than just man but also God.  

We should help in advancing God’s kingdom on earth

She said to him (Jesus), “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.” Just like her our faith in Jesus should not be shallow but profound. We should help in advancing God’s kingdom on earth. We should also be good friends to Jesus like Martha and Lazarus. Being His good friends means being like Him. A saying goes thus: Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are. We cannot be good friends to Jesus without being like Him.

Martha andLazarus also remind us to make our families homes for Jesus. A family is a home for Jesus when the members live in love and peace. Such family forgive, tolerate and understand one another. The members are patient, humble, compassionate, generous and gentle. When we welcome Jesus to our homes here on earth, Jesus will welcome us to the home of His Father.  

Prayer 

Almighty ever-living God, whose Son was pleased to be welcomed in Saint Martha’s house as a guest, grant, we pray, that through her intercession, serving Christ faithfully in our brothers and sisters, we may merit to be received by you in the halls of heaven. Amen 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke