Saint Ignatius Of Antioch, Bishop, Martyr 

Ephesians 1:1-10
Psalm 97(98):1-6
Luke 11:47-54

OBEY CHRIST THE TRUTH AND HE WILL SET YOU FREE

In the current gospel reading, Jesus continues to admonish the lawyers, expressing several rebukes. He points out that their ancestors were responsible for the deaths of the prophets, while they, in turn, constructed tombs as a way of endorsing these actions.

From the murder of Abel to that of Zechariah, the persecution of the prophets and the resultant bloodshed will be demanded of this generation, for they have consistently disregarded the voice of God spoken through the prophets and have failed to implement their teachings.

Moreover, they have obstructed individuals from accessing the knowledge of God, thus becoming barriers to salvation not only for themselves but also for others.

In Matthew 11:25, Jesus articulates, “I bless you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have concealed these truths from the wise and learned and have revealed them to the humble.”

The term “little ones” refers to those who accept Jesus with humility and who place their confidence in His word. Such individuals will gain access to the wisdom imparted by the Holy Spirit. Psalm 119:99 states, “I have greater understanding than all my teachers, for I meditate on your instructions.”

Through His ultimate act of love and obedience on the cross, Christ satisfied the Father’s will and reconciled humanity to God (Revelation 5:9). It is through His suffering and death that we attain justification. Consequently, the lesson to be derived from history is to adhere to Christ’s teachings, for the truth will indeed set us free.

Fr Joseph Osho