THURSDAY, SEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Sir 5: 1-8 Ps 1: 1-4, 6 Mk 9: 41-50
“BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART”
Many people mistakenly believe that being a Christian merely requires adhering to a few external observances. Jesus did not come to offer us mere “cheap tickets to heaven” based on superficial compliance; rather, He came to teach us how to live fully and joyfully on earth by embracing our identity as God’s children. His message calls us to gradually rise to our divine potential by actively seeking to do His holy will, fostering a life of genuine fulfilment that extends into eternity.
Jesus emphasizes the necessity of moral discipline in our lives to achieve inner harmony and purity – “Blessed are the pure in heart; they shall see God.” He warns that sin begins in the mind, highlighting that one commits adultery first in thought before any physical act occurs. This underscores the danger of a corrupted mind, which not only leads to self-destruction but can also harm others. Jesus calls for a radical transformation within us, advocating for a kind of “moral violence” against our own sinful inclinations to maintain purity.
The first reading exhorts us not to be deceived by the temptation to postpone heeding the voice of our conscience. We are cautioned that time is fleeting, and delaying repentance may lead us to a point of no return. The call to live a good and virtuous life is an urgent invitation for today. We are encouraged to take responsibility for our lives, refusing to be like a rudderless boat tossed about by turbulent currents.
A meaningful response to God’s call today is a critical examination of our use of electronic media, which offers both content that nourishes as well as that which corrupts. By making deliberate choices about what we engage with, we can cultivate a healthier spiritual environment that fosters growth. When we determine ourselves to take these steps in view of protecting the purity of our heart, we can trust that God will support us with His grace.
Response: Blessed the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.
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