REFLECTIONS TODAY
Jesus is not asking his disciples to junk the fourth commandment: that of honoring one’s father and mother (Dt 5:16). In fact, Jesus expressly commands his disciples to honor and support their parents and condemns those who use the law to escape from this responsibility, as in the case of qorban (Mt 15:3-6). But he warns his disciples that the Gospel can be an instrument for domestic divisions as well as a sign of contradiction, just as he himself is a sign that is accepted and rejected in Israel. Loyalty to Jesus overrides all family concerns. Family ties should not stand in the way of obedience to God. On their part, parents should permit and even encourage their children if they feel called to a life of consecration as priests or religious. They should not begrudge their sons or their daughters to the Lord and the People of God if these are called to the priesthood, the religious life, or in other forms of consecration.
First Reading • Is 1:10-17
Hear the word of the Lord, princes of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah! What care I for the number of your sacrifices? says the Lord. I have had enough of whole-burnt rams and fat of fatlings; In the blood of calves, lambs and goats I find no pleasure.
When you come in to visit me, who asks these things of you? Trample my courts no more! Bring no more worthless offerings; your incense is loathsome to me. New moon and sabbath, calling of assemblies, octaves with wickedness; these I cannot bear. Your new moons and festivals I detest; they weigh me down, I tire of the load. When you spread out your hands, I close my eyes to you; though you pray the more, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood! Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected].