REFLECTION FOR THE MEMORIAL OF ST. BENEDICT/ TUESDAY OF THE 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR I. (2)

REFLECTION FOR THE MEMORIAL OF ST. BENEDICT/ TUESDAY OF THE 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR I.

THEME: GOD’S MERCY AND COMPASSION.

BY: Fr. Francis Onwunali.

We celebrate today the Memorial of St. Benedict, Abbot. Benedict was born into a Roman noble family in Nar

REFLECTION FOR THE MEMORIAL OF ST. BENEDICT/ TUESDAY OF THE 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR I.

THEME: GOD’S MERCY AND COMPASSION.

BY: Fr. Francis Onwunali.

We celebrate today the Memorial of St. Benedict, Abbot. Benedict was born into a Roman noble family in Narsia, Umbria, Italy. He was the twin brother of St. Scholastica. He was sent to study in Rome but discontinued and went into the monastery. Benedict was deeply gifted in spiritual matters, and he wrote the Benedictine Rule, which could be summarized as: “Pray and work.”

In the Theology of God, one of the outstanding qualities of God’s nature is that of Mercy and Compassion. This is prominent in the message of today’s readings.
In the gospel (Matt. 9: 32-38), Jesus reaches out with compassion so that people can know how loving God is and that God is with them, especially during times of hardship and difficulties. Seeing the people like Sheep without a Shepherd, Jesus sets out to care for them by Himself, even when He was criticised by the religious leaders of the time. Do you allow the pressure of criticisms to hinder your doing good and caring for others?

In the first reading (Gen. 32: 23-33), Jacob, on his way home to reconcile with his brother Esau, encountered God when he wrestled with a Divine Being. At the end of this encounter, Jacob was blessed by the divine being giving him a new name, Israel – “one who wrestles with God.” Jacob takes this encounter as a sign of God’s blessing, for God in His mercy has allowed Jacob to see His face and still be alive to tell about it.

Dear friends, God manifests His presence in variuos ways to us and wants every person to experience the reality of His presence; so God sends us out as labourers in God’s Vineyard since the harvest is plenty. How compassionate and merciful am I in reaching out to the downtrodden and broken-hearted?
I pray that as we journey in life today, we will become more of channels of mercy and compassion. May our hearts be “melted” in the face of the need to graciously give a helping hand. May we be cared for too in moments of need. Have a mercy-full day!

@Fr Francis Onwunali

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