Tuesday Of Week 12 In Ordinary Time

2 Kings 19:9-11,​14-21,​31-36
Psalm 47(48):2-4,10-11
Matthew 7:6,​12-14

LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE’S SITUATION BEFORE THE LORD AND TREAT PEOPLE RIGHT

In today’s first reading, we learned about King Sennacherib who was a tyrant and a bully. He relied on his power and army to conquer many nations and intended to shame the people of God. King Hezekiah, upon receiving Sennacherib’s threatening letter, brought the matter before the Lord in his temple.

The Lord sent his angel to strike down 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp that very night and the Assyrian army was defeated. King Hezekiah’s trust in the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the tyrant and bully.

In today’s gospel, Jesus encourages us to treat others with respect. The Lord will bless us with peace if we do so. Even though life is filled with obstacles and trials, the gate to eternal life, as the Lord tells us, is narrow, and only a few find it. Do you trust in the Lord as you journey through life, as King Hezekiah did? Is your life in God’s hands, or do you rely on your strength and capabilities?

We cannot enter eternal life through our efforts and might. It is the Lord who grants us the reward of heaven. Therefore, we must trust in the Lord in our prayers and lead a godly life with love in our hearts towards others. Being on the Lord’s side is a great advantage against all odds and obstacles. Persevere through that narrow gate, and fight the distractions that prevent you from focusing on what is important to reach the arms of God.

THIS, BELOVED, IS THE WAY IN WHICH WE FOUND OUR SALVATION, JESUS CHRIST, THE HIGH PRIEST WHO OFFERS OUR
GIFTS, THE PATRON AND HELPER IN OUR WEAKNESS. IT IS THROUGH HIM, THAT WE LOOK STRAIGHT AT THE HEAVENS ABOVE. THROUGH HIM, WE SEE MIRRORED, GOD’S FAULTLESS AND
TRANSCENDENT COUNTENANCE .
THROUGH HIM, THE EYES OF OUR HEART WERE OPENED. THROUGH HIM, OUR UNINTELLIGENT AND DARKENED MIND
SHOOTS UP INTO THE LIGHT. THROUGH HIM, THE MASTER WAS PLEASED TO LET US TASTE THE KNOWLEDGE THAT NEVER FADES …
ST POPE CLEMENT OF ROME (6 35- 6 99)

May the Lord help us throughout our life’s journey and protect us from life’s storms. Amen.

Fr Joseph Osho