Readings: Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34, Ps. 106:19-20, 21-22, 23, Matthew 13:31-35
“It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown, it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches. (Matthew 13:32)
Sin is an offence against God; a deliberate choice to rebel against God’s authority. Despite seeing all the wonderful works God did for them in Egypt, how He made them pass through the Red Sea, how He even showed Himself to them on Mount Sinai, the Israelites pressured Aaron saying, “Make us gods, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” (Exodus 32:23).
This statement indicates that they believed it was Moses who led them out of Egypt. There is a new wave of idolatry in our churches today; people running after ‘men of God’, giving testimonies to exalt the minister instead of praising God. The danger of this trend is that when anything happens to the minister, they rush to find other gods. Days after Moses went up the mountain to commune with God, they said, “We do not know what has become of him.”
Let us learn to see the hand of God working through His ministers and refrain from worshipping His instruments. Aaron knew what they were asking for was wrong, yet he was too weak to resist the pressure. As a leader (or a parent) in any capacity, you must develop thick skin; leadership is not about giving people what they want, but rather ensuring they get what is good for them.
When Aaron fashioned the golden calf, the people bowed and worshipped it; they even danced around it and engaged in orgies. There was no shame, and they did not fear God. This behaviour mirrors what has become the norm in our world today. People no longer see their bodies as belonging to God, and even Christians partake in immoral behaviours. Money has become the ‘golden calf’ of our day. Like the Israelites, we dance around anyone who has money, we respect them and are ready to do anything to make money, even if it is against our conscience.
In today’s First Reading, God says, “When it is time for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin.” God is merciful; He gives us ample time to repent, but a day of reckoning must come. If we continue to sin, despite these repeated calls for repentance, there will come a time when it will be too late to repent. Remember that God sees our hearts. He knows when we are genuinely struggling to avoid sin and when we are following the crowd.
What is the key to avoiding sin? How do we avoid worshipping the various gods in our world today? In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus describes the kingdom of God as a mustard seed that appears to be the smallest of all seeds but eventually grows into the largest of all shrubs. In other words, as the saying goes, “Little drops of water make a mighty ocean.” No one becomes a saint or a star overnight. A good character begins with good habits. You may start by observing one hour of sinlessness daily and gradually increase it.
Jesus came to save the world, yet He began with a small group of people. His disciples were not the most qualified, intelligent or holy, but that tiny seed has become a large tree today. Do not be discouraged by little beginnings. Make that first step today. Just do what is right, and let the rest take care of itself. Instead of raining curses on our leaders, train your children to be disciplined and God-fearing. You cannot change the world overnight, but you can sow seeds of holiness in people around you.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, grant us the grace to live upright lives. We ask this 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. (Monday of week 17 in Ordinary Time, Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34, Ps. 106:19-20, 21-22, 23, Matthew 13:31-35)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu