Sunday, July 22, 2012

16th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 23-07-12

Micah 6:1-4, 6-8 / Matthew 12:38-42


A wise man can be described as one who believes in what is good and he lives out that goodness in his life.


On the other hand, a fool may know what is good but disregards it in his life or even lives contrary to the good.


But when wisdom and foolishness are understood in the context of faith, then there are far-reaching consequences in life.


In the 1st reading, we hear of  a foolish and unfaithful people being questioned by compassionate God.


God was confronting His people: My people, what have I done to you, how have I been a burden to you? Answer me!


Yet God was not asking much of His people. He was not asking for gifts or holocausts or libations or sacrifices that the people cannot meet up to.


In fact what was good for the people, God had already made known to them, and this was what the Lord asked of them: to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with your God.


Yet the fact is that we fail in one, or more, of these at any point in our lives. Yes it is so simple and yet we fail so miserably.


To act with justice, to love tenderly and to walk in humility with God and neighbour are profound signs of a good life.


May we have the wisdom to understand it and live it out in our lives.