Jeremiah 20:7-9
Psalm 63:2, 3–4, 5–6, 8–9
Romans 12:1-2
Matthew 16:21-27
THEME: Be an Oblation unto the Lord
St Paul in the second reading of today appeals to the Romans and to us too, to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. We are to be completely transformed, never conforming anymore to the standards of this present world. It was such experience that Jeremiah had that he was burning within him whenever he refused to mention the name of the Lord his God. It was this burning desire for the divine reality and will that made Jesus to rebuke Peter for trying to subvert the will of God in Jesus’ life.
The Lord Jesus further spells out the conditions for discipleship: “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Herein, Jesus presents to us the path that would lead to eternal life and that which would lead to eternal death. Herein, we have to make a choice between being seduced by God and being seduced by the world.
St. Paul comes to our aid in this regard in the second reading: “…present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…”
Dearly beloved, we must never allow anyone to prevent us from offering ourselves as a living sacrifice unto the Lord..We should allow ourselves to be seduced by God. We need to have recourse to God in prayer, meditating on His word, frequently participating in the Sacraments and reaching out in love to others. Herein lies our empowerment to remain seduced by God for our good and the good of of others.
LET US PRAY: O God, grant that we may always burn with the desire to know you more and more, so that we may radiate the knowledge of you everywhere. “For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God.” Amen.
REV FR GREGORY EBALU OGBENIKA