Readings: Isaiah 48:17-19, Ps. 1:1-4,6, Matthew 11:16-19
“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. O that you had hearkened to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river.” (Isaiah 48:17-18)
There is a saying that you always have an excuse for not doing what you never wanted to do in the first place. If you’re going to do something, you won’t find any justifiable reason for not doing it. If you catch yourself piling up excuses, it is because that particular activity is unimportant to you or you do not believe there is anything to gain from it. One common excuse we give for not keeping God’s commandments is that they are difficult.
Let us honestly ask ourselves: Is there anything easy in this life? Why do we want the easy way out when it comes to the things of God? Consider the hours, months, and even years of painstaking sacrifice we put in to acquire basic life skills such as walking, speaking, driving, and cooking. How come we never gave up?
In today’s first reading, God addresses the nation of Israel: “If only you had paid attention to my commandments, your prosperity would have been like a river.” Do I genuinely believe there are benefits to following God’s commandments? If so, why do I keep disobeying them? Why do I have many excuses for God when He has provided a shortcut for me to achieve all my desires? Jesus said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you” (Matthew 6:33). Do you believe that seeking God’s kingdom is profitable? Do you believe obedience to God brings peace like a river?
God’s commandments (righteous living) are for our happiness and prosperity. To think that there is something to gain from going against God’s instruction is to believe that Adam and Eve gained from their disobedience. Every sin represents our decision to eat the fruit like Eve, and every scandal we cause represents our decision to give it to others. Every time we do something bad just because others are doing it, we choose to behave like Adam. Adam saw that Eve was still alive after eating the fruit, so he ate. Why must you do evil? Is it because you see evil people succeeding? Think twice. There is nothing to gain from evil.
Our world continues to experience the effects of individual and collective sinfulness. Today, the devil tries to make us believe God’s commandments are outdated, oppressive, or impossible to follow. Don’t fall for these lies. Following God’s commandments always benefits you. Societal values may have changed, but God’s words will never change. A sin remains a sin no matter how society describes it. The peace and happiness you seek can only come from obeying God. The devil has nothing good to offer.
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus compares his audience to children in a marketplace. We are not too different from the people Jesus was talking about. We don’t always know what we want. John the Baptist came, neither eating nor drinking, and he was heavily criticised. Jesus freely ate and drank, yet he wasn’t spared their harsh criticism.
Avoid following the crowd. It is not about what people think; do what is right and seek to please God. Forget about human praise or admiration—people will talk, and you can’t do anything to satisfy them. Trust God and obey His commandments. This is the only path to happiness.
Let us pray: Grant that your people, we pray, almighty God, may be ever watchful for the coming of your Only Begotten Son, that, as the author of our salvation himself has taught us, we may hasten, alert and with lighted lamps, to meet him when he comes. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Friday of the 2nd week of Advent Liturgical Colour: Purple Bible Study: Isaiah 48:17-19, Ps. 1:1-4,6, Matthew 11:16-19)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu