TUESDAY, TWENTY FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Memorial of Saints Cornelius and Cyprian
1 Tm 3: 1-13 Ps 101: 1-6 Lk 7: 11-17
CALLED TO BE LIFE-GIVERS!
“God has visited his people,” must have been the response of the people of Naim, as they witnessed Jesus raise the son of the widow. St John the Evangelist beautifully articulates it in Jesus’ words, “I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance!” Jesus raised three people back to life – the daughter of Jairus, the son of the widow of Naim, and Lazarus. Although these examples project Him, the Author of Life, giving life to frail humans who received death’s painful embrace, He had nevertheless come in human flesh to give life to our sinful selves. He had come to redeem us from sin and slavery and to elevate us to the lost dignity of children of God.
Though unrelated in the first glance, the first reading of the day bears a meaningful connection to the Gospel. In his Letter to Timothy, St Paul sets a standard for the life of a bishop and a deacon. Deacons, Priests and Bishops are all ordained ministers of the Church. Unlike every baptized who share in the common priesthood, these are specifically ordained into the ministerial priesthood of Christ! Hence, in the liturgy, they act in persona Christi. In his ministry, Christ gave life to people, and these men who are chosen by God, are called by the Lord to share in the same mission – to be givers of life. Of course, our clerics are not expected to raise the dead, but through their ministry, through their holiness, and prayer life, they are invited to raise people from their spiritual dormancy, cure their indifference to religion, and rejection of faith! An example par excellence would be the saintly Cure of Ars. Through his selfless efforts and persistent prayers, St John Mary Vianney was able to revive faith in the village of Ars; he brought people back to life! This is what the Church expects from her ministers.
As we draw our reflection on these passages from the scripture, let us offer our prayers for our deacons, priests and bishops so that in their ministry they may be guided by the spirit and may revive souls for God!
Response: I will walk with blameless heart.
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