Meditation for Wednesday of the 4th
Week in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Heb 12:4-7, 11-15; Mk
6:1-6)
We have seen how our participation
in the merits of the one sacrifice of Jesus requires faith. We saw the
practical example of faith demonstrated by Abraham and the great men and women
of old. Their trials, resilience, and achievements under the authority of their
faith were presented to us to emulate. It appears that faith exposes us to
trials and discipline. Why is it so?
The first reading of today explains that it is because we have been adopted as children of God. This comes with certain implications and responsibility, which includes fatherly discipline. “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him whom He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives.” As parents discipline their children so that they can imbibe the moral of the home, the way does God allow us to pass through ‘faith-trials’ so that we can be moulded into the image of Jesus Christ. “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Therefore, we should not be faint-hearted, but through prayer, remain firm in faith.
The discipline our faith brings nurtures peace of soul and peace with our neighbour. It helps us to strive for that holiness of life, without which no one will see God. As God trains us in faith, we learn to root out every bitterness and things that may defile us. Then we are ready to obtain every grace, especially the merits of the one sacrifice of Jesus, our High Priest. Ironically, the ones Jesus came to as ‘His people’ rejected Him. Because of their unbelief, Jesus could not offer them the healing mercies of the Children of God. The discipline and trials we undertake in faith make us responsible children of God, and unlocks for us the great merits of our High Priest, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic
Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Wednesday February 2nd,
2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com
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