Thursday 13th October 2022. Read: Ephesians 1:1-10, Ps. 98:1-6, Luke 11:47-54
“In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace which he lavished upon us.” (Ephesians 1:7-8)
Who is a Christian? This is how St. Paul answers in today’s first reading: A person who is blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places; chosen in Christ to be holy and blameless; destined in love to be united to God in the fullness of time.
A Christian is different; that is, not like everybody else. A Christian is chosen for holiness; chosen to shine a light – to give example to the rest of the world. As Jesus says: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide… If you were of the world, the world would love its own, … you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world…” (John 15:16-19). To be holy is to be set apart from the world.
Since you have the Spirit of God living inside you, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and you have what it takes to live a blameless life. You have power over your flesh and its desires. You only need to believe that you are not powerless against the urgings of your flesh and that you are blessed beyond measure.
To say holiness is impossible or that it is not easy to live differently from the world is to act like the proverbial beggar sitting on a stool of pure gold, yet asking for crumbs from passers-by. The truth is that once you say something is not easy to do, you have already accepted defeat. By your mindset, you have paralyzed yourself as far as that task is concerned.
Have you tried to explore all your spiritual potential? What if you stop focusing on your weakness and start exploring the rich depth of goodness that is within you? St. Paul tells us that in Christ, we have been redeemed, forgiven of our trespasses, and destined to be united with God forever. Stop looking down on yourself because of your past. Today is a new day. Repent and start afresh again.
Jesus is not happy with the Pharisees because instead of leading people to God, they did the very opposite. Jesus’ stern condemnation of these religious leaders calls for a serious examination of conscience on our part. Am I a light for the world or just part of the darkness? Is my life inspiring people to do good or to do evil? Am I a good leader?
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, cleanse me from the inside out that I may live by the Spirit. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of week 28 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Ephesians 1:1-10, Ps. 98:1-6, Luke 11:47-54)
© Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu
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