(Micah 7:14-15l 18-20;
Mt 12:46-50)
One of the duties of a prophet is to
act as an intermediary between God and the people, especially in delivery God’s
message. He also intercedes for the people before God. And this
is what our beloved prophet Micah did in the readings of today. “Shepherd your
people, Lord, with your staff, the flock of your inheritance, who dwell alone
in a forest in the midst of a garden land.” He begged God to feed them as He
did in the days of old. Since God is the most merciful, Micah appealed to Him
for compassion and forgiveness of their sins. He called unto God to continue to show
faithfulness as He swore to Abraham, Jacob, “As you have sworn to our fathers
from the days of old.”
In the Gospel, as Jesus was teaching the
people, someone came forward and interrupted Him with the news that His mother
and brethren were outside, asking to speak with Him. Following the law of ‘honour
your father and mother’, we all expected Jesus to get up immediately and attend
to them. Mary must have travelled far in search of her Son. The Handmaid of the
Lord, who surrendered herself to the will of God in bearing the Divine Son, did
not stop being a mother halfway! Her motherly instinct continued to follow
Jesus. Now, she has found Him, Jesus’ response kept us thinking...
“And stretching out His hand toward
His disciples, He said, ‘Here are my mother and my brethren! For whoever does
the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.’” Yes,
and the Blessed Virgin Mary is the most qualified thereof to answer the Mother
of Jesus since she surrendered totally to the will of God. “Let it be to me
according to your words” (Lk 1:38). She is the mother and model of those worthy
to become ‘family’ with Jesus, i.e. those who do the will of God. Obviously, it
is those who seek the will of God that seek for Jesus! And those who find Jesus
are those who do the will of God.
The prophet Micah sought from God
His guidance, mercy and faithfulness, which are God’s will for His people. And
Mary, who committed herself totally to the will of God, looked for Jesus, in
whom is the completeness and fulfilment of God’s will. All who seek God with a sincere heart find Jesus in the righteous
lives they lead. Our hearts race with Mary to behold Jesus when we desire truth
and righteousness. And surely, we shall have peace in Christ Jesus, for all who
hungers for righteousness are satisfied (Mt 5:6). Let us pray this day that the
will of God be done in our lives, so that the blessings of God we need today
shall flow unto us as members of the family
of Jesus. Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic
Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Tuesday July 21st, 2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com
