WALK DAILY WITH JESUS” (Friday, 30th Week in Ordinary Time of Year C).

WE ARE IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, THE MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY. PLEASE, PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY AND ASK THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY TO PRESENT YOUR INTENTIONS TO HER SON FOR REDRESS.

COLLECT: “ALMIGHTY EVER-LIVING GOD, INCREASE OUR FAITH, HOPE AND CHARITY, AND MAKE US LOVE WHAT YOU COMMAND, SO THAT WE MAY MERIT WHAT YOU PROMISED. THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN”.

Rom 9:1-5; Ps 147:12-15,19-20 and Lk 14:1-6.

“…. ‘Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath or not?’… So he took the man (suffering from dropsy) and, after he had healed him, dismissed him…..” (Lk 14:1-6).

The ability to have or feel pity for people is a great virtue. This virtue can move a person to carry out charity works or works of mercy if one is able and capable. This is because people who feel or have pity for others have ‘hearts of flesh’ (hearts of God) and not ‘hearts of stone’ (hearts of Satan). The law is not and should not be a barrier or a stumbling block to the heart that feels pity, to carry out good deeds/works. The heart of flesh is receptive to the Word of God. The Word of God settles there and, like in the parable of the sower, it germinates, grows and bears abundant fruit, through the good and charitable works that the person performs.

Jesus, our Master and Saviour, our Mentor par excellence, is an example for you and me in this regard. Jesus, in his humanity, had a big heart of flesh and from this heart he was always touched or moved to pity anytime he encountered people with infirmities, diseases, the poor, those who were possessed by evil spirits, etc. etc. Out of pity for the man who was suffering from dropsy in today’s Gospel, and for the fact that he came for such people, Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath Day. The observance of the Sabbath Law did not prevent him from saving life or restoring health to a suffering and sick man. St. Paul, from his heart of flesh after his conversion, and following the example of Jesus, expressed anguish over the Israelites who had not accepted Jesus to be saved. St. Paul wished he could turn his people, the Israelites around and convert them to be saved, but this was not possible. St. Paul had a very sorrowful heart because of this (Cf. Rom 9:1-5).

Indeed, the heart of stone or hardened heart never feels pity or sorrow over the plight and suffering of other people. Most people with hardened hearts use the mind/brain. Such people are very logical and rational, and of course, following or observing the law to the letter is paramount for them.

Christianity is not only a matter of having faith, but also putting that faith into practice. Your faith must be manifested or demonstrated in good or charity works, works of mercy coming from a heart of flesh, a heart that pities. Such a heart is the one that produces good fruits in tens, hundreds, thousands and millions. It is therefore useless and meaningless to observe all the Church’s laws, rules and regulations, and especially, scrupulously pay Church dues, tithes, make regular offerings, attend Mass every day, regularly receive the Sacraments, reciting one’s morning, afternoon and evening prayers, etc., without having pity on people and without carrying out works of mercy and charity. Without these one’s faith is dead (Cf. James 1:22ff). May each of us have a heart of flesh today, a heart that pities, a heart that is ready to perform good deeds, thereby alleviating people from their pain and suffering. Make a conscious effort today to help a needy or suffering person. Stay blessed.

NB. Today is the last day of the Month of Rosary, October. However, do not relent in praying the Holy Rosary. Keep praying the Holy Rosary and the Lord will bless your intentions through the Blessed Virgin Mary.

WE MEDITATE TODAY, FRIDAY, ON THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES:: ‘THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN, THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR, THE CROWNING WITH THORNS, THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS AND THE CRUCIFIXION’ (WE PRAY FOR SORROW FOR SIN, PURITY, COURAGE, PATIENCE, AND PERSEVERANCE

“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen”.

PRAYER: “MAY YOUR SACRAMENTS, O LORD, WE PRAY, PERFECT IN US WHAT LIES WITHIN THEM, THAT WHAT WE NOW CELEBRATE IN SIGNS WE MAY ONE DAY POSSESS IN TRUTH. THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN”.

Rev. Fr. Aloysius Kpiebaya, Catholic Diocese of Wa, UW/R, Ghana. (00233) 0207867239/0545462863. Email: aloybaya20@yahoo.com