Meditation for Thursday the 29th
Week in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Rm 6:19-23; Lk 12:49-53)
Some people
might mistakenly think that if justification is by faith alone, then we have no
responsibility thereof, or that we can live recklessly and still lay claim to
righteousness since it is by faith. May be that is why some modern-day
Christians care less about holiness and righteousness but they often worship
God only for their personal benefits, while demanding God to prove Himself to
them through miracles. But St Paul quickly warns that those who are justified
by faith do not yield any part of their bodies or their lives to sin. The
righteousness of faith sets us free, while sin tries to enslave us. The
righteousness of faith brings sanctification, so it cannot dwell with sin and
iniquity. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal
life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Jesus declares: “I
came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled!” Living
out the righteousness of Jesus in faith shines out as light that opposes the
darkness of this world; the freedom enjoyed by those living under grace evokes
jealousy from those under the yoke of sin. As the experiences vary so will
people begin to oppose each other. Each person within him, from his household
and society will experience a constraint. But at the end, the love of God will
triumph. No transformation can come without friction or opposition. Jesus has
cast fire than cannot be quenched! His love and righteousness illumine, and at
the same time, burns away sin and iniquity. That is why we must not allow sin
to reign in our hearts and bodies; “So now yield your members to righteousness for
sanctification.”
St Hilarion the Great, pray for us. Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Thursday October 21st, 2021.
www.soundofsilence.ng
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com
