(REMEMBER TO PRAY IN THIS MONTH OF NOVEMBER FOR YOUR RELATIVES, LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE DIED).
COLLECT: “ALMIGHTY AND MERCIFUL GOD, BY WHOSE GIFT YOUR FAITHFUL OFFER YOU RIGHT AND PRAISEWORTHY SERVICE, GRANT, WE PRAY, THAT WE MAY HASTEN WITHOUT STUMBLING TO RECEIVE THE THINGS YOU HAVE PROMISED. THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU IN THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN”.
Rom 14:7-12; Ps 26:1,4,13-14 and Lk 15:1-10.
The Dagaaba have an adage that: “Dakyie ba nyere O pul kaabu” (Lit. “The Parrot is not able to see/spot the grain that is directly under it”). This adage refers to people who are not able to see their imperfections, weaknesses and limitations, but feel they are blameless and perfect.
In fact, this is one manifestation of a bad spirit in a person, when he/she feels and thinks that he/she is blameless or perfect, especially in terms of religion and spirituality. This sometimes leads us to look down on or criticise fellow human beings, the very question Saint Paul asks in today’s first reading, “Why then do you judge or criticise your brother or sister?” (Cf. Rom 14:10).
The attitude that ‘I am blameless or perfect’ is sin in itself and at the same time it leads to other sins. It leads to pride, boastfulness/bragging, discrimination, abuse of basic human rights and violation of human dignity. It leads to acts of injustice and hypocrisy. It has no room for mercy and kindness for human beings. It also makes one feel and think that one is indispensable, and so on. This should be avoided by the believer/Christian.
The Pharisees and Scribes, who complained when they saw Jesus welcoming and eating with sinners, were completely lost from the sight of the Lord, as they saw themselves as blameless and perfect. They needed to be found by the Lord. This could, however, be possible if they were ready and willing to humble themselves. In a sense, Humility is the way or the road we can use to be sought and saved by the Lord. Let us humble ourselves in our waywardness for the Lord to seek, find and save us.
We should bear in mind that one day “we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God”. We pray that we may be humble enough to always acknowledge our imperfections and sinfulness, which in a sense, have made us lost from the way and sight of the Lord, for him to seek, find and save us. Stay blessed.
WE MEDITATE TODAY, THURSDAY, ON THE MYSTERIES OF LIGHT: ‘THE BAPTISM OF JESUS, THE WEDDING AT CANA, THE PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM, THE TRANSFIGURATION, AND THE INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST’. (WE PRAY FOR OPENNESS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, PRAY TO JESUS THROUGH MARY, FOR REPENTANCE AND TRUST IN GOD, THE DESIRE FOR HOLINESS, AND WE PRAY FOR THE SPIRIT OF ADORATION) “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 THE WORKING OF YOUR POWER, O LORD, INCREASE IN US, WE PRAY, SO THAT, RENEWED BY THESE HEAVENLY SACRAMENTS, WE MAY BE PREPARED BY YOUR GIFT FOR RECEIVING WHAT THEY PROMISED. THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN”.
Rev. Fr. Aloysius Kpiebaya, Catholic Diocese of Wa, UW/R, Ghana. (00233) 0207867239/0545462863. Email: aloybaya20@yahoo.com
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!