COLLECT: “O GOD, WHO IN THE ABASEMENT OF YOUR SON HAVE RAISED A FALLING WORLD, FILL YOUR PEOPLE WITH HOLY JOY, FOR ON THOSE YOU HAVE RESCUED FROM SLAVERY TO SIN YOU BESTOW ETERNAL GLADNESS. 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”.
Hos 14:2-10; Ps 50:3-4,8-9,12-14,17 e Mt 10:16-23.
Must we pay for the good things people do in the world with evil? Yet this is what a lot of people do to others in the world. This is one of the mortal sins some of us commit in the world. The reason some people inflict pain or persecute others for doing good things is that what they do to people in the world could simply be due to an inferiority complex or low self-esteem. In most cases, it is because someone is doing good and therefore others are saying good things about him/her, singing the praises of him/her and may be the person in progresses in whatever he/she is doing that some people become jealous and therefore they think by inflicting pain on him/her or by persecuting the person they may destroy the honour being given him/her by others. Once again, this attitude is sinful and anyone who has it should repent and ask for forgiveness from the Lord of Mercy.
Jesus suffered from this and he knew his disciples would have their share (Indeed, the Apostles and the early Christians suffered it). Therefore, he told them to be aware of that. They were going into the world, as he sent them, like sheep in the midst of wolves. They should be as simple as doves. They should be aware of men, in fact, evil men with their ulterior or hidden evil motives. They would hand them over to the world’s authorities and they would be persecuted. All because of the good things they would do to/for people in Jesus’ name. However, should this happen to them, they should not be afraid. The Holy Spirit of the Father would speak through them and he would direct them on what to do (Cf. Mt 10:16-23).
The Lord is inviting all of us today, as he invites the people of Israel through Hosea to repentance so that they may be saved and prosper. The Lord is especially inviting those of us who because of an inferiority complex or low self-esteem, pretend to be good to good people in our families/communities/societies yet when we get the least chance, we are quick at inflicting pain on or quick at persecuting them, to humbly repent today. We should not be “piele kye donna mene” (Dagaare proverb which literally means “You blow air on hot food to make it cold as if you were after its good, only for you to have a comfortable bite of it and eventually finish it”. It does not pay. The Lord however is encouraging and consoling those of you who are being inflicted with pain or who are being persecuted for the good things you are doing for other people in the world, in your communities and in your homes in his name, not to give up. He is aware of what you are going through and he is with you in your good times and bad times. Stay blessed and be courageous in the good that you are doing.
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 the hour of our death, Amen”.
PRAYER: “GRANT, WE PRAY, O LORD, THAT, HAVING BEEN REPLENISHED BY SUCH GREAT GIFTS, WE MAY GAIN THE PRIZE OF SALVATION AND NEVER CEASE TO PRAISE YOU. THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN.”
Rev. Fr. Aloysius Kpiebaya, Catholic Diocese of Wa, UW/R, Ghana. (00233) 0207867239/0545462863. Email: aloybaya20@yahoo.com.
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