GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY- 23RD FEBRUARY 2017

GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)

DATE: 23RD FEBRUARY 2017

THURSDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

(MEMORIAL OF SAINT POLYCARP, BISHOP, MARTYR)

FIRST READING: Sirach 5:1-8

PSALM: Psalm 1:1-4, 6

GOSPEL: Mark 9:41-50

THEME: UNMASKING SIN

In a democratic dispensation, ‘freedom’ can easily be misconstrued as a synonym for ‘licentiousness’. Sometimes, in the name of ‘human right’ (which in itself is a good thing), innumerable sins are swept under the carpet.

With the passage of a bill into law, an intrinsic evil can be clothed with normality and an undiscerning citizen, not realising that what is legal is not necessarily moral, receives a free push into a ‘bottomless pit’.

There have been subtle attempts to make sin look like a private affair – “I decide what I do with my life…It is none of your business” – forgetting that when I set my house on fire, my next-door neighbour is at risk.

Some too have made it their business to redefine sin and give it new names and expressions in an attempt to water down its effect. “Having fun”, “relieving stress”, “acting smart” are some of the harmless expressions that lend themselves to camouflage sin.

Sin can bleach itself and change colour but it cannot change its essence and effect. Sin is still sin and it is the only thing that can lead one to hell.

In our Gospel text, Jesus does not mince words when he says, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched” (Mk. 9:42-48).

These are strong words from the gentle Jesus. They point to the drastic measures we need to take to avoid sin. In sum, Jesus desires that we do everything within our means to avoid wrongdoing. However, we all know that the human being, bereft of grace, is powerless before sin. Let us therefore turn to God in prayer and ask for divine strength to overcome every form of evil.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you are my strength in the fight against sin. In you, I place my hope and I shall not be defeated. With your grace and help, I choose to avoid the near occasion of sin. 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).

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