By
Charles Muchiri
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Liturgical Year b, Cycle II
Thursday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time
Readings for Mass
First Reading: First Kings 11:
4-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 106: 3-4,
35-36, 37, 40
Gospel: Mark 7: 24-30
 |
| Idol worship: King Solomon |
He
adores Astarte, the goddess of the Sidonians and even builds a high place for Milcom,
the idol of the Ammonites and for Chemosh, the idol of Moab.
He
builds several other high places for these idol gods, and this marks his departure
from the ways of God the Almighty.
Solomon’
is a case of a typical relationship between God and man. God is consistent in
His love for us. But we as human beings can be inconsistent.
Although
earlier on, Solomon enjoyed such a close relationship with the Lord, (God had even
appeared to Solomon twice, forbidding him of his evils) man on the other hand
enjoys free will.
It’s
up to us to choose between following the ways of the Lord or following the worldly
ways.
This
self determination is the same one that we have to practice while seeking
Christ. It’s upon us entirely to beseech Him to be part of our lives or not.
As
Saint Augustine says, He who created us without our help will surely not save
us without our consent.
Indeed,
the story of the Syrophoenician woman in the Gospel is so interesting, she
wants Christ to come to her rescue. Yet, Christ is a little hesitant to rush to
it.
It
is tempting here to imagine that Christ is actually not ready to dismiss this
woman and her pressing need; but He wishes to establish her determination.
And
so is the case with us; are we willing to walk along with God Almighty?
Are
we determined to enlist Christ, His Graces and His favours; to be by our side
along the journey of our Christianity?
/Follow
this writer on Twitter: @muchirimuchoki/
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