ST. IRENAEUS, BISHOP, MARTYR
READINGS
Genesis 18:16-33: Abraham negotiated with the Lord.
Resp. Psalm:102(103):1-4,8-11: The Lord is compassion and love.
Matthew 8:18-22: The Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.
REFLECTION
We are truly a blessed people! We have God as our Father. The Psalmist describes the nature of God. Our God is compassion and love, slow to anger and shows us his mercy. He gives us every opportunity to change. He prepares everything in time for our advantage.
We are also blessed to have Abraham as our father in faith who loves us so much that he is ready to plead on our behalf.
In today’s first reading, one can imagine the frustration of Abraham with the people of Sodom and Gomorrah! They were clearly living in perpetual sin and evil. Abraham was sure that even though he believed God loved those people, they clearly needed to be taught a lesson!
God on the other hand, knew of Abraham’s faithfulness and love for his people and did not want Abraham to be put in the middle of any of this problem especially for the sake of Lot and his family. However, the intervening role of Abraham is totally remarkable. He pleaded on behalf of many not just for Lot and his family but for many.
Read More: SATURDAY OF THE ELEVENTH WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME – 19/6/2021https://agnesisika.com/pray-saturday-of-the-eleventh-week-in-the-ordinary-time-19-6-2021/
Christ came into this world to be our mediator and the perfect high priest by laying down his life for us through obedience to the Father. He bore our sins out of compassion, love and mercy.
St. Ireneaus, in his treatise against heresies, said that Christ the Eternal Word of life, “revealed God to men and presented men to God”.This is a perfect description of the powerful position and the intercession role that Christ plays before God our Father. He gives us every opportunity to change.
Today is another opportunity to repent of our sins and follow Jesus closely. Remember that in spite of the dominion of sin and darkness, Lot was not able to free himself from that domination because of his choice until the intervention of the angels many people are suffering because of their choice today they have decided to remain under negative influences due to self love, pleasure and power. We are urged today to arise and plead to God on behalf of others and be compassionate and loving. Be patient and merciful. St Irenaeus pray for us!
God bless.
Peace.
Fr. Joseph OSJ.
