28th Week in the Ordinary Time - Friday (Year II)
14th September 2022 (Friday)
Dear Brothers and Sisters, we are on the Friday of 28th week in the ordinary time. Today's readings and reflection is based on the theme " Destined for inheritance!"
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For more certainty the Readings are posted from the Catholic Lectionary {alertInfo}
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Ephesians 1:11-14
Brethren: In Christ we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13 (R. 12b)
Response: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen as his heritage.
Ring out your joy to the Lord,
O you just; for praise is fitting for the upright.
Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp;
with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs.Response
For the word of the Lord is faithful,
and all his works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justice and right,
and his merciful love fills the earth.Response
Blessed the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people he has chosen as his heritage.
From the heavens the Lord looks forth;
He sees all the children of men.Response
Gospel : Luke 12:1-7
At that time: When so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, Jesus began to say to his disciples first, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertSuccess}
Main Theme: Destined for inheritance!
Indicative: We are called and chosen for an eternal inheritance. Therefore, we must live worthy of our call, in trust and authenticity, shunning all hypocrisy and fear {alertWarning}
1. The first reading reminds us that we are predestined according to God’s purpose. And this destiny is the inheritance of eternal life. This inheritance is obtained in Christ through the gospel of salvation by the promised Holy Spirit. Therefore we need to live a life that will make us worthy of this immeasurable inheritance.
2. This prescribes a certain way of life with certain components. First, shun hypocrisy. This is compared to the leaven of the Pharisees. A little leaven can leaven the whole flour. In the same way, if we are not cautious, the leaven of hypocrisy that surrounds us can easily wrongly influence and change us adversely and negatively.
3. Second norm: Fear God rather than the world. Many times many are afraid mostly for worldly reasons, concerning guarantees and securities. They are more worried about losing some benefit or facing suffering and death even. But Jesus exhorts us, “do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.”
4. Rather fear Him who has the authority both to kill the mortal bodies as well as to cast into hell. The point here is not the frightening and ruthless power of God to terminate our life and throw us into hell. It is rather the unsurpassable and benevolent reign of God over us. It refers more to our bonding and binding obligation of adherence to Him.
5. Third norm: Let this fear be not something negative but a positive fear that springs from reverence and love. When there is love, there is fear to offend that person; it is a fear of not doing anything that is contrary and displeasing to that person. It is a fear that issues from deep confidence in God’s magnanimous care for us. This becomes clear from Jesus’ words, “even the hairs of your head are numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Imperative: In a world that constantly besets us with many negative influences, there is every possibility and danger to be led astray. So let us remain firm and well-guided with fear of God and His strength{alertWarning}
Video Reflection
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