Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

MISERICORDIA FOR LIFE (A Ministry of the Word of God)

Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

One With the Lord Enjoys Mercy and Victory         

by Fr Anthony Uche

Music: Amazing Grace Licensed: Envato Elements Pty Ltd

St Margaret of Scotland RC Carshalton Beeches.

 

AI Summary

Glory, glory, glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Welcome, my brothers and sisters, to this inspiring message from Father Anthony Uche as we reflect on the readings for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B.

The first reading is taken from the Book of Genesis, chapter 3, verses 9 to 15. Our psalm for this Sunday is Psalm 130. The second reading is from St. Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, chapter 4, verse 13 to chapter 5, verse 1. The Gospel reading is from St. Mark's Gospel, chapter 3, verses 20 to 35.

The theme of our reflection is, "One with the Lord enjoys mercy and victory."

The psalmist today rightly says that with the Lord, there is fullness of mercy and redemption. We must not be afraid to ask the Lord for the forgiveness of our sins and the strengthening of our relationship with Him. The Lord's question, "Where are you?" in today's first reading, shows God's concern for His people and His readiness to lead those who cry out to Him from the valley of darkness to the mountain of illumined truth and love.

However, we must ask ourselves, are we longing to attain and yearning to remain within the realm of illumined truth and love? Adam and Eve were sent packing from Eden not only for acting against the Lord's injunction but also for trying to play God, unwilling to stay within the parameters of God's divine and revealed truth and love.

Today's world is chaotic because some people believe they have the power to erase the universal and eternal commands of the Creator. True believers, however, listen to God's voice, praying and seeking day and night to attain the illumined mercy, truth, and love of our Lord. The work of God in our hearts and lives cannot be undone by any man or woman.

In today's second reading, St. Paul urges us to uphold our faith in our Lord Jesus, by which we are renewed and able to reject those voices that seek to undo God's work of unity, love, and peace in our families and communities. We must strengthen our faith through prayer, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, studying the scriptures, and doing good to others. These exercises of faith empower us to discern and discover the tricks of the tempters who aim to destroy the work of God.

Like the relatives of our Lord Jesus and the scribes in today's Gospel reading, we have people and forces in our midst constantly planning and scheming to override the gifts of life, inclusion, and equality in our communities. We must be spiritually prepared for these battles. We must come out of our comfort zones and allow the Lord to change our attitudes if we desire to do His will and win the battles of life.

We must not be afraid of following the Lord because He is the stronger man in today's Gospel and will always be the stronger force who fights with us against the enemies of truth, love, justice, inclusion, and equality. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Let us long for the Lord day and night and ask Him for His mercy and help.