Do Not Close Your Ear to The Cry of The Poor

Tuesday, 24 September 2024. Readings: Proverbs 21:1-6,10-13, Ps. 119:1,27,30,34-35,44, Luke 8:19-21

“If you close your ear to the cry of the poor, you will cry out and not be heard.” (Proverbs 21:13)

Today’s First Reading is a combination of powerful proverbial sayings. Every line of this passage deserves some meditation. For today’s reflection, we shall highlight some of these proverbs:

- “All deeds are right in the sight of the doer, but the Lord weighs the heart.” (Proverbs 21:2). You cannot always be right. Learn to examine your thoughts with God’s words. Read the Bible. Ask yourself: “What if I am wrong? Will God approve my plans?”

- “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” (Proverbs 21:3). This reminds us of Saul, the first king of Isreal. God instructed him to wage war with the Amalekites and destroy them completely, but Saul disobeyed. No amount of sacrifice is enough to bribe God. Samuel said: “Surely, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams… Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.” (1 Samuel 15:22-23)

- “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to want.” (Proverbs 21:4). Never rush to make it big. Success takes time. Start small and build gradually. Ritual killings have become so rampant today; do not sell your soul to the devil for earthly riches.

- “The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapour and a snare of death.” (Proverbs 21:6). When you lie, you take a loan that you must pay with interest. When it is time for you to pay, you will also lose your reputation (a priceless treasure that money cannot buy). It is better to lose money than to lose your good name.

- “When a scoffer is punished, the simple become wiser; when the wise are instructed, they increase in knowledge.” (Proverbs 21:11). Learn from the mistakes of others. Only fools desire to repeat others’ mistakes. Read books to increase in wisdom. Reduce your social media consumption.

- “If you close your ear to the cry of the poor, you will cry out and not be heard.” (Proverbs 21:13). This is a stark reminder of the consequences of indifference. It echoes the Golden Rule: “So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12). No one has it all; no one is absolutely rich. We are all poor in one way or another. This is why we need each other.

- Do you know why God sometimes allows calamity (negative or painful circumstances) in our lives? To teach us to be sympathetic to those who are suffering around us. Become a Good Samaritan to others if you expect to find a Good Samaritan when you need help. When was the last time you visited a hospital, prison, orphanage, or even a market just to put smiles on people’s faces? Note that I do not refer to making content for social media. If you want to help, do so without your cameras.

- In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus said: “My Mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” Jesus made this statement to teach us the importance of practising His Words. We are the mother, brother and sister of Jesus Christ when we listen to His Word and put them to practice. The Bible is not for entertainment.

- Don’t just hear these words without changing something in you. St. James says: “Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like.” (James 1:22-24)

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, help us live in a manner that truly depicts our membership in your family. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Tuesday of week 25 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Proverbs 21:1-6,10-13, Ps. 119:1,27,30,34-35,44, Luke 8:19-21).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu