28th Week in the Ordinary Time - Monday (Year II)
10th September 2022 (Monday)
Dear Brothers and Sisters, we are on the Monday of 28th week in the ordinary time. Today we are reflecting on the theme Freedom
{getToc} $title={Contents}
For more certainty the Readings are posted from the Catholic Lectionary {alertInfo}
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31-5:1
Brethren: It is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labour! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband." So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Psalm 113:1b-2, 3-4, 5a and 6-7 (R. see 2)
Response: May the name of the Lord be blest for evermore. or: Alleluia.
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord!
May the name of the Lord be blest
both now and forevermore! Response
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
praised be the name of the Lord!
High above all nations is the Lord,
above the heavens his glory. Response
Who is like the Lord, our God,
who lowers himself to look down
upon heaven and earth?
From the dust he lifts up the lowly,
from the ash heap he raises the poor. Response
Gospel : Luke 11:29-32
At that time: When the crowds were increasing, Jesus began to say, "This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.
Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertSuccess}
Main Theme: Freedom and sight!
Indicative: Only freedom enables us to see clearly and act rightly. Those who are under the slavery of sin will become blind and walk wrongly{alertWarning}
1. Freedom is a priced gift and everyone desires it. But often many mistake freedom for licentiousness that wants to do whatever it likes. Most of the time, individual likes and preferences are not guarantees for the good and right things. They can be deviating and destructive. They can be inclinations of seeking pleasure and gratification.
2. In modern society, there is an intense craving and search for freedom. Much of this freedom may be a disguised form of new slavery. In the name of freedom, one may be getting entrapped by harmful enslavements and entanglements. Here the words of Paul in the first reading become relevant: “For freedom, Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.”
3. Real freedom is freedom from the slavery of sin. Now sin is whatever is contrary to God, His love, and His will. Therefore, whenever one fails in faith in God, whenever one does not cooperate with God’s grace, they are not free but are slaves. In this way, the Pharisees and scribes were not free from sin because they refused to believe in Jesus. They refused to repent and mend their ways.
4. They refused to see the signs of God’s love and power manifested in and through Jesus. In fact, Jesus himself is the greatest sign of God’s love. Yet, they demand signs to prove himself. They were under the slavery of jealousy, self-righteousness, and stubbornness. Jesus rebukes them as an evil generation and they deserve it because they are so.
Imperative: Let us not be seekers of false freedom which is a disguise of slavery. The more we surrender to God’s will and plans, the more we see the signs of His loving presence and action, the more we are free{alertWarning}
Video Reflection
{getButton} $text={For More} $icon={link} $color={Hex Color}