Hatred stirs up strife

 

Be good for the sake of goodness. 

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Tuesday of 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, August 8th, 2023
Texts: Numbers 12:1-13; Psalm 51:3-7,12-13; Matthew 14:22-36

                                             Hatred stirs up strife

Today’s first reading underscores the point that no matter how good we may be, people will still criticise us. The reading tells us that Moses whom Mariam and Aaron spoke against was the most meek on earth. In spite of Moses’ humility, Mariam and Aaron still found fault with him. This means the reason for being good should not be to avoid being spoken against. We should be good for the sake of goodness.  

It is clear in the reading that they found faults with Moses because they were jealous or envy of him. The wise says, Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offences. (Prov. 10:12). We see it in their complaints: "Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?" They accused Moses of marrying a Cushite woman but their complaint was about themselves. They were jealous of the prestige Moses enjoyed. They accused him of illicit marriage to vitiate his prestige. We are not to allow jealousy or hatred rule us or determine our decision.   

 We are to repent of bias and prejudice

We also learn that God does not condole accusation based on bias and prejudice. We read, “And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and he departed; and when the cloud removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, as white as snow.” This means we lose the favour of God when we live by bias and prejudice. There is also an acknowledgement of God’s mercy in the first reading. We read, “And Moses cried to the Lord, ‘Heal her, O God, I beg you.’" This calls us to repentance. We are to repent of bias and prejudice.  

Today’s gospel reading tells us that Jesus retreated for prayer. We read, “And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.” Jesus Christ teaches us by His life to retreat for prayer. We are not to pray with others only but also learn to be with God alone and pray. Prayerful retreat is effective in releasing our potential. We see this in the gospel as Jesus manifested His divinity upon returning from his retreat. We read, “The wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’ 

We need faith to walk with Jesus

We also see in Peter that we need faith to walk with Jesus. When challenges come our ways, we are to remain resolute in our faith. In those moments of Challenges we are to hear Jesus saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear.”
The memorial of St. Dominic is today. He preached to correct heresy in the Church. He formed the order of preacher known as Dominican. The Dominicans embrace the life of poverty and monastic life.  

Prayer 

May Saint Dominic come to the help of your Church by his merits and teaching, O Lord, and may he, who was an outstanding preacher of your truth, be a devoted intercessor on our behalf. Amen  
(Collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke