GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 7TH FEBRUARY 2017
TUESDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: Genesis 1:20 – 2:4a
PSALM: Psalm 8:4-9
GOSPEL: Mark 7:1-13
THEME: IMAGO DEI
The expression ‘imago Dei’ is of Latin origin. It literally means ‘image of God’. In the field of theology, it is applied primarily and uniquely to human beings. Of all God’s creatures, only ‘man’ (a generic word for humankind) was created in the expressed image and likeness of God:
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…’ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Gen. 1:26-27).
In a retreat for a group of young seminarians, I asked each of them, within the context of prayer, to use one adjective to describe God. After collating the responses, I observed that about 90% said, “God is love”. Rightly so, that is the nature of God. To be created in the image of God would mean that we have the capacity to love. Unfortunately, that image has been tainted in the lives of many. Hatred, jealousy and wickedness have disfigured and maimed the human race.
We, individually and collectively, need to work on the ‘restoration of the imago Dei’. It is the quest to reclaim our true identity, i.e., to become men and women who truly love. This is at the heart of the mission of Christ. During his earthly ministry, Jesus always frowned upon any attempt to distort the image of God in the name of religious tradition. In our Gospel text, for example, he chastises the Pharisees and scribes in these words: “You leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men…You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God, in order to keep your tradition!” (Mk. 7:8-9).
When people encounter you, do they really see the image of God in you? When all is said and done, what matters is how much love you have for God and neighbour. All other things, important though they may appear, are secondary.
PRAYER: Sacred Heart of Jesus, make my heart like yours in order that the heavenly Father may see in me what He sees in you. 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).