GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 11TH FEBRUARY 2017
SATURDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: Genesis 3:9-24
PSALM: Psalm 90:2-6, 12-13
GOSPEL: Mark 8:1-10
THEME: THE STARK TRUTH
Sin is a skeleton dressed in nice clothes. It walks gallantly on our streets daily with pleasurable fragrance. It makes you feel sweet in its presence and generously gives a nice parcel — a box — to all those who befriend it. It is a Pandora’s box. Curiosity to know what is inside has unleashed a swarm of evils and endless complications in the lives of many.
There is a proverbial saying that “curiosity killed the cat”. Yes, it was curiosity that ‘killed’ Eve and Adam, and curiosity continues to ‘kill’ all those who dillydally in the presence of sin.
In Genesis 3:6, we read, “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, and he ate.” Our First Reading gives us an account of the unpleasant consequences of that ill-choice of the woman and man. In sum, disaster was let loose and they lost the beautiful garden of Eden (Gen 3:23-24).
Sin has robbed many people of their “Edens”. It has destroyed beautiful friendships, marriages and families. It has incarcerated some and robbed them of their freedom; it has destroyed health and jobs. Some have developed permanent scars on their consciences and have no peace of mind on account of sin.
What is the point in investing heavily in a project that would only drain all one’s capital and yield brambles and thorns. In the same way, there is no point investing our time, energy and other resources into sinning. It only leaves us spiritually and physically bankrupt.
Perhaps, the next time you have the opportunity to sin, think twice and weigh the true cost of sin. The stark truth about sin is that it steals, kills and destroys. It is not worth going for it.
PRAYER: Save me Lord Jesus and free my feet from the snare. Let not sin overpower me. In your compassion, snatch me from the jaws of the lion. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).