THURSDAY, TWELFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
2 Kgs 24: 8-17 Ps 79: 1-5, 8-9 Mt 7: 21-29
LIVING BY INNER CONVICTIONS OF LIFE
There is a vast difference between a life lived on the worldly perceptions and a life lived with inner convictions. When we live by worldly perceptions, the guiding principles are public opinion, one’s own name and fame, glory and power, resulting in a desire to please the maximum number of people around us. This way of living is also called “outside in” life or public mirror ideology. Although the reasons for such a lifestyle could be many, one reason could be that one has not worked on one’s inner potential rather allowed to be guided only by what others say and demand of us.
On the other hand, a life lived with inner convictions or “inside out” is a life lived with inner certainties through a rigorous process of experimentations, personal experiences and above all on a sustainable faith in oneself, others and one’s God. Here the guiding principles are deep rooted truths received through traditions and one’s faith orientations which are further appropriated by lived experiences. In religion, it is a conviction that God is at the center of one’s life because we are the people of the covenant. When we are faithful to what God, then He will take care of us and will protect us at any stage of life.
The Gospel of today reminds us that the one who lives by the public perception in order to please others is not going to ascend the way of perfection rather the one who lives exclusively on the Word of God. Our trust in God is compared to a man who builds his house on a rock which stands still in spite the heavy rains and stormy tempest. The first reading narrates the destruction of the entire Israel as a nation under Babylonian invasion for their unfaithfulness to the Lord. The questions that the readings of today pose to us are direct: Is my life straight with God? Do I really build my life on His Word? What is the depth of my faith? Am I in a secure boat of life or tossed up and down or on the verge of a collapse?
Response: For the sake of the glory of your name, free us O Lord.
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