Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of the First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church
The first reading in today’s Mass might cause uneasiness, confusion. The God Amos describes is certainly not the “sweet Jesus” pictured on our holy cards. Israel was favored by God, chosen by him above all other nations. But Israel was indifferent, unfaithful. “So now I will deal with you in my own way,” says the Lord.
Could there be food-for-thought here for me?
Hasn’t the Lord singled me out with special graces and gifts? Hasn’t He called me to be His companion in His redemptive work that goes on today? How do I compare with the many people who chose not to know Him? God punished Israel, which He so loved, in order to shake it up, to make it aware of its favored position. So, what about me? Is the answer found in the Gospel?
Here Jesus teaches his apostles that He is with those who recognize His continuous presence with them, and that both the bad and the good that come my way are nudges to pray for the grace to be ever aware of that fact.
Resolve: In a spirit of thanksgiving and unworthiness for the gifts He has given me, I shall ask the Lord to dole out the same gifts to the many people who are unaware of His love for them. I shall also pray particularly for my friends.