Corruption In The House Of God

 

Faith becomes an open door to God’s grace.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Friday of 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, January 12th, 2024
Texts: 1 Samuel 8:4-7.10-22; Psalm 89:16-19; Mark 2:1-12 

What happened to Eli finally caught up with Samuel; his children were corrupt. Must there be corruption in the house of God? The question is very hard to answer. The corruption in the house of God made the people demanded for a king to rule over them. The elders said to Samuel, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint for us a king to govern us like all the nations."  

Does God allow corruption in His house to inspire Change? I do not know but God welcomed the change occasioned by the corruption. He said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.” What is clear here is that God will not violate our right to make ourselves. I am free to choose the way I live my life; you are also free to choose the way you live your life. We are free to choose the way of the Lord and we are also free to do otherwise.  

God will be our strength and shield

However, God does not fail to encourage us to choose His way. We read in today’s Psalm thus: “How blessed the people who know your praise, who walk, O  Lord, in the light of your face, who find their joy every day in your name, who make your justice their joyful acclaim.” The Psalmist also tells us why it is good to choose the way of the Lord. God will be our strength and shield. He puts it thus: “For you are the glory of their strength; by your favour it is that our might is exalted. Behold, the  Lord is our shield; he is the Holy One of Israel, our king.”

There is corruption in the house of God because God does not violate our right to choose our way. The corruption in the house of God continues till our time and till Christ will come again. St. Peter says, “For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1Pet. 4:17). 

Faith becomes an open door to God’s grace

God gives away His right to control us by giving us the right to choose our ways. We give Him back the right by our faith in Him. Hence, faith becomes an open door to God’s grace. This is clear in today’s gospel reading. We read, “And when  Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘My son, your sins are forgiven.’" Faith is the submission to the power of God.   

Prayer  

God our Father, we are sorry for the misuse of the right You have given us; thank You for always showing us the right way to follow; grant us the grace to always do what is right. Amen  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke