Friday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II. Reflection by Rev Fr Oselumhense Anetor (Uromi Diocese)
I Kings 19:9,11-16; Matt.5:27-32
Today marriages continue to break down, and vows of faithfulness are trampled under foot. What about vows of chastity and celibacy in the priesthood and religious life? Any better? Jesus does not just condemn adultery today, he also condemns lust; that which leads to fornication and divorce. He says, “but I say to you: if a man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart…” Friends, whatever leads us to sin must be pulled down.
Many of us have built castles and ‘comfort zones’ of sin. We think because we’re prayer warriors, with the charisma to heal the sick and raise the dead, that our sins don’t matter. We get lost in the mighty winds, earthquakes, and the fires of this world, forgetting that God isn’t in any of these things. Friends, it’s time to take our Christian vows more seriously, and reject whatever leads to lust. We must strive to pull down the castles of sin and let grace flow round like a gentle breeze.
Good morning dear. God bless your weekend ahead.
FIRST READING “Stand upon the mount before the Lord.”
A reading from the first Book of Kings (1 Kings 19:9a. 11-16)
In those days: When Elijah came [to Horeb the mount of God,] he lodged in a cave; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him. And he said, “Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and slain your prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria; and Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place.”
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM (Psalm27:7-8ab.8c-9abc.13- 14 (R. 8c)R/.
It is your face, O Lord, that I seek.O Lord, hear my voice when I call; have mercy and answer me.Of you my heart has spoken, “Seek his face.” R/.
It is your face, O Lord, that I seek;hide not your face from me.Dismiss not your servant in anger;you have been my help. R/.R/.
It is your face, O Lord, that I seek.I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodnessin the land of the living.Wait for the Lord; be strong;be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!
R/.ALLELUIA Philippians 2: 15d. 16aAlleluia.
You will shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life. Alleluia.
GOSPEL ”Every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her.
”A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 5:27-32)
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery. ’ But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that every one who divorces his wife, except on the ground of un-chastity, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
