Thursday, October 24, 2019

First Reading: Rom 6:19-23

Brothers and sisters:

I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your nature.
For just as you presented the parts of your bodies as slaves to impurity
and to lawlessness for lawlessness,
so now present them as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness.
But what profit did you get then
from the things of which you are now ashamed?
For the end of those things is death.
But now that you have been freed from sin and have become slaves of God,
the benefit that you have leads to sanctification,
and its end is eternal life.
For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Thursday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
READINGS FOR TODAY
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell
you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against
his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a
daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” Luke 12:51-53
Yes, this is a shocking Scripture at first. Why would Jesus say that He came to
establish not peace but division? This does not at all sound like something He
would say. And then to go on saying that family members will be divided against
each other is even more confusing. So what is this about?
This passage reveals one of the unintended but permitted effects of the Gospel.
Sometimes the Gospel brings about a certain disunity. Throughout history, for
example, Christians have been severely persecuted for their faith. The example of
many martyrs reveals that those who live the faith and preach it may become the
target of another.
In our world today, there are Christians who are persecuted simply for being
Christian. And in some cultures, Christians are severely mistreated for speaking out
regarding certain moral truths of the faith. As a result, the proclamation of the
Gospel can at times bring about a certain disunity.
But the real cause of any disunity is the refusal on the part of some to accept the
truth. Do not be afraid of holding fast to the truths of our faith regardless of the
reactions of others. If you are hated or mistreated as a result, do not let yourself
give in to compromise for the sake of “peace at all costs.” That form of peace is not
from God and will never bring about true unity in Christ.
Reflect, today, upon whether or not you struggle with compromising your faith when
it is challenged by others. Know that God wants you to choose Him and His holy will
above every other relationship in life.
Lord, give me grace to keep my eyes on You and Your will and to choose You above
everything else in life. When my faith is challenged give me courage and strength
to stay strong in Your love. Jesus, I trust in You.