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January 20, 2024
Reflection for Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: January 21, 2024
Jonah 3:1—5,10: As prophet, Jonah is sent by God to Nineveh to preach to the people there and to warn them of their need for repentance.
The people believed God! They believed God’s serious warning that if they didn’t repent of their sins and amend their lives, they would be destroyed. The people repented and were forgiven by our merciful God. What do you think Americans’ response to such a warning today might be? Let’s reflect on the question; “Have we become so complacent with our mindset of moral relativism (that we can decide for ourselves what’s right or wrong), that we no longer consider seriously that we’ll one day have to face God as our Judge?
Psalm 25: “Teach me Your ways, O Lord.” What a beautiful psalm with which to follow-up our initial reflection! In this wise psalm of petition to God, we’re asking God to teach us the truth. God’s own Truth will enlighten us when we’re struggling to make moral decisions about what’s right and wrong in our lives. We don’t have to struggle alone! We have a God, Who is kind, compassionate, loving and eager to assist us via the Holy Spirit and our humble Savior, Jesus! If we’re reading Scripture, praying for wisdom, and truly striving to be obedient to God, we’ll be filled with God’s Truth and God’s Peace! We will be able to make enlightened moral decisions. We’ll know what we need to celebrate, as well as what to repent. God is our Light!
1 Cor 7:29-31: In this passage, St. Paul adds a tone of urgency to our reflection on repentance. Paul reminds us… even warns us… that we may have little time before we all, inevitably, will one day, have to face God, as our Judge. We’re beginning a new year so it’s clearly an appropriate time for self-reflection. Let’s self-assess the state of our souls. Are we living a good, moral life, in obedience to the Ten Commandments? Are we ready for death and judgment? Are we consulting the right people and sources when we’re making moral and ethical decisions? Many people who label themselves as Christians or as Catholics stray far from official Church teaching!
May our loving and wise Lord and Savior guide us to the best spiritual advisors and leaders for our parishes, our communities and our world! We need better guidance, as never before!
Mark 1:14-20: Culminating this week’s reflection, Jesus Himself is calling us to “Repent and believe in the Gospel!” The urgency is, indeed, here. Jesus says: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand.” Will we, like the people of Nineveh, believe and repent?
Given our current culture, I’d find it difficult to predict how people would respond to calls for repentance. People who’ve been misled, believe that there is no objective truth couldn’t imagine having any “sins” of which they must repent. Reflecting upon this “cultural flaw” of moral relativism reveals a great danger… a nation with no clear sense of right and wrong. That explains so many of our nations’ and our worlds’ many troubles right now. May God’s Holy Will be done, unto and by us all!
Ponderously,
Deacon Matt
