Thursday of week 11 in Ordinary Time 

2 Corinthians 11:1-11
Psalm 110(111):1-4,7-8
Matthew 6:7-15

PRAY THAT YOU DO NOT STRAY

Everywhere we look today—whether scrolling through social media, flipping through the news, or chatting with friends—we’re bombarded with cries of injustice. It’s a constant roar of opinions and accusations, and if we’re not careful, we can easily get swept up in the tide.

If we take a closer look at Second Corinthians, we uncover a narrative that feels all too familiar. Paul had initially planted a church in Corinth, but he later learned that they were falling short of living out their faith. The members were divided, choosing sides and favoring certain apostles, rather than uniting in their journey as followers of Christ. They strayed into behaviors marked by sexual immorality, selfishness, and pride, prompting Paul to visit. Ironically, as we read Second Corinthians, we may find that we mirror the struggles of the Corinthian church more than we care to admit.

The Bible tells a recurring tale: those who once suffered oppression can easily become oppressors themselves in the name of justice and equality. It’s a vicious cycle. We see divisions fueled by ideology, even within our faith communities—often forgetting the foundational love of Christ.

Instead of uplifting justice and equality, we sometimes find ourselves shouting in the guise of righteousness, condemning others. We need to ask ourselves have we lost sight of our true calling? Are we drifting away from our mission? We are meant to be sources of life, not conflict—living vessels filled with Christ’s love and truth.

So today, let’s recommit to that mission. Turn down the volume of the world’s distractions. Let’s engage with authenticity, driven by purpose rather than the desire for applause. May we follow Christ’s example by forgiving others as He forgave us and sharing the message of His sacrifice—not just with our words, but through the way we live our lives.

Fr Joseph Osho