Reflection:
The Theme for this week reminds us that we have to be in right standing with God if we want to be stewards of God’s grace.  We need to examine our conscience periodically. We cannot be righteous in the sight of God if we are in mortal sin.  If we have committed such sins, we need to repent, go to confession, and receive the forgiveness of Jesus through the priest.   We read in Isaiah 59: 1-2:  “Lo, the hand of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. Rather it is your crimes that separate you from your God, it is your sins that make Him hide His face.”

Jesus said in the Gospel: “This is the time of fulfillment.  The reign of God is at hand! Reform your lives and believe in the Good News.”  Though we claim that we are disciples of Christ, we need to undergo a lifetime of on-going conversion of heart and mind, and perseverance to cultivate a more perfect love for God.  We are still distracted from “loving God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind.” (Mt. 22:18)

The Ten Commandments are a gauge for measuring our righteousness before God.  The Word of God will convict if and when we transgress.   As we meditate on the Word of God, we will come to realize that our hearts need constant conversion. As our hearts slowly become converted, we should develop strength to withstand temptation.  The word of God will teach us that: “A mild answer calms wrath; a soothing tongue is a tree of life,” (Prov. 15: 1,4); “pleasing words are a honeycomb, sweet to the taste and healthful to the body,” (Prov. 16:24).   We will put to heart what Proverbs 6:16 which says:  “There are six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to him;  haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed blood; a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil; the false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers.”

As we avoid temptations, resist committing grave sins, and focus more on loving God and our neighbors, Jesus will give us the grace to follow Him.  We may not leave our means of livelihood like Andrew and Peter. But we will conduct our business or do our job with high moral and ethical standards.  As stewards of God, we should be content with what God gives us for His word says: “For we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it.  If we have food and clothing, we shall be content,” (1 Tim. 6: 7-8).  We shall then realize the meaning of “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35b), and heed what Tobit said: “Give to the hungry some of your bread and to the naked some of your clothing. Whatever you have leftover, give away as alms, and do not begrudge the alms you give.” (Tobit 4:16)

There is urgency in the call of Jesus as St. Paul stresses in the second reading. “Time is short” (1 Cor. 7:29).  Unlike Jonah, we should not be reluctant to answer the call of God.  Jonah was sent to bring God’s call of repentance to the people of Nineveh, a traditional enemy of Israel at the time of Jonah. Being a devout Jew, Jonah was reluctant at first to go to Nineveh. Why should he preach repentance to their enemy?  It was not until he was thrown into the sea, swallowed up by a whale, and kept in its belly for three days, that he relented and finally obeyed the will of God. Even then, he continued to grumble, God had to placate him with an explanation. (Book of Jonah)

We should instead follow the example of Andrew and Peter, John and James, who, on hearing the call of Jesus, immediately responded.  As stewards of God’s grace, we should not be content with just attending prayer meetings, but we should work in the mission field of BLD.  We also should share in the mission of the Church which has “the ultimate purpose to share in the communion of the Father and the Son in their Spirit of Love. God desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 850-851)

As we resolve to follow Jesus Christ unswervingly and become His faithful and trustworthy stewards, we can bring others to Jesus by our witness. We read in Luke 1: 76-77: “You will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give His people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.”   We can claim the promise for his week: “… he shows the sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, He teaches the humble his way.” (Ps 26: 8b-9)

Reflection Questions:
1. How much value do I give to my worldly priorities and attachments?  Am I prepared to give this up and focus more on my spiritual well being?
2. How willingly do I give my time, talent and treasure to follow Jesus when called to do so?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
January 25, 2015 (Sun)    Jon 3:1-5,10/Ps 25:4-5,6-7,8-9/1Cor 7:29-31/Mk 1:14-20
January 26, 2015 (Mon)    2 Tm 1:1-8 or Ti 1:1-5/Ps 96:1-2,2-3,7-8,10/Lk 10:1-9
January 27, 2009 (Tue)   Heb 10:1-10; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 10-11; Mk 3:31-35
January 28, 2009 (Wed)  Heb 10:11-18; Ps 110:1-4; Mk 4:1-20
January 29, 2009 (Thur)  Heb 10:19-25; Ps 24:1-6; Mk 4:21-25
January 30, 2009 (Fri)      Heb 10:32-39; Ps 37:3-6, 23-24, 39-40; Mk 4:26-34
January 31, 2009 (Sat)    Heb 11:1-2, 8-19; Lk 1:69-75; Mk 4:35-41

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ.  Read your Bible daily!”

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