Thursday of week 7 in Ordinary Time
Ecclesiasticus 5:1-10
Psalm 1:1-4,6
Mark 9:41-50
In our first reading from Sirach, the author emphasizes, “Delay not your conversion to the Lord.” This statement, positioned toward the conclusion of the reading, encapsulates the preceding content and aligns with the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel reading, both highlighting the essence of what it means to undergo conversion to the Lord.
Sirach cautions against reliance on material wealth and personal strength, suggesting that a fundamental shift in mindset necessary for conversion is one of surrender. As individuals draw nearer to God, there is a growing recognition of the necessity to submit to divine will, prioritizing reliance on God over our capabilities. This process is inherently humbling and often challenging to accept, yet it is the pathway to authentic peace and serenity. Personal attempts to navigate life independently, outside of God’s guidance, invariably lead to complications.
The urgency for conversion is further underscored in Jesus’ teachings from Mark’s Gospel. His statements regarding sin—“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off… If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off… If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out”—should not be interpreted as a literal call for self-mutilation. Rather, Jesus compels us to relinquish any impediments to following Him and to approaching the Father. This willingness to act signifies a genuine commitment to conversion.
The contemporary world desperately needs the Good News of Jesus Christ. It yearns for more tangible expressions of love, peace, and justice. This, I believe, aligns with Jesus’ instruction to “Keep salt in yourselves, and you will have peace with one another.” By embodying the essence of God’s love, we cultivate inner peace, foster harmonious interactions, and propagate peace in our broader communities. The imperative for conversion is immediate and pressing.
Fr Joseph Osho
