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WSC REFLECTION GUIDE

Readings: Jonah 3:1-5 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Psalm 25:4-9 January 25, 2009
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20

Word: Stewardship of God’s grace is bringing others to Jesus.

Theme: We are stewards of God’s grace when we repent and follow Jesus.
[Dispossession]
Promise: “…he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice.”
(Ps 25: 8b-9a

Reflection:

The Theme for this week reminds us that we have to be in right standing with God if we
want to be stewards of God’s grace. We need to examine our conscience periodically.
We cannot be righteous in the sight of God if we are in mortal sin. If we have committed
such sins, we need to repent, go to confession, and receive the forgiveness of Jesus
through the priest. We read in Isaiah 59: 1-2: “Lo, the hand of the Lord is not too
short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. Rather it is your crimes that separate
you from your God, it is your sins that make Him hide His face.”

Jesus said in the Gospel: “This is the time of fulfillment. The reign of God is at
hand! Reform your lives and believe in the Good News.” Though we claim that we
are disciples of Christ, we need to undergo a lifetime of on-going conversion of heart and
mind, and perseverance to cultivate a more perfect love for God. We are still distracted
from “loving God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind.” (Mt.
22:18)

The Ten Commandments are a gauge for measuring our righteousness before God. The
Word of God will convict if and when we transgress. As we meditate on the Word of
God, we will come to realize that our hearts need constant conversion. Jesus said, “For
out of the heart comes evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false
witness, slander” (Mt. 15: 19 NRSV). Though we may not be guilty of committing
adultery, the movies and television shows we watch may provoke us to “look at a
woman with lust. Jesus said: you have already committed adultery with her in
your heart” (Mt. 5:28).

As our hearts slowly become converted, we should develop strength to withstand

temptation. Rather, the word of God will teach us that: “A mild answer calms wrath; a
soothing tongue is a tree of life (Prov. 15: 1,4); pleasing words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the taste and healthful to the body (Prov. 16:24). We will put to heart what
Proverbs 6:16 which says: “There are six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an
abomination to him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed blood; a
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heart that plots wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil; the false witness who
utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers.”

When we slowly yield our minds to Christ, we will have peace of mind. Reading and
listening to the daily news of the world makes us anxious about so many things. The
word of God will show us that, “A tranquil mind shows so much sense.” (Prov. 14:30);
“In his mind a man plans his course; but the Lord directs his step” (Prov. 16:9).

As we avoid temptations, resist committing grave sins, and focus more on loving God and
our neighbors, Jesus will give us the grace to follow Him. We may not leave our means
of livelihood like Andrew and Peter. But we will conduct our business or do our job with
high moral and ethical standards. We will remember what Prov. 15: 27 says, “He who is
greedy of gain brings ruin to his house, but he who hates bribes will live”.

Although we may not answer the call for vocation in the same way John and James,
priests, religious, or deacons do, but like them we will continue to honor our parents as in
Sirach 3:3, 4, 8: “He who honors his father atones for sins; he stores riches who
reveres his mother. In word and in deed honor your father that his blessing may
come upon you”.

As stewards of God, we should be content with what God gives us for His word says:
“For we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take
anything out of it. If we have food and clothing, we shall be content” (1 Tim. 6: 7-8).
We shall then realize the meaning of “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts
20:35b), and heed what Tobit said: “Give to the hungry some of your bread and to
the naked some of your clothing. Whatever you have leftover, give away as alms,
and do not begrudge the alms you give.” (Tobit 4:16)

There is urgency in the call of Jesus as St. Paul stresses in the second reading. “Time is
short” (1 Cor. 7:29). Unlike Johan, we should not be reluctant to answer the call of God.
Jonah was sent to bring God’s call of repentance to the people of Nineveh, a traditional
enemy of Israel at the time of Jonah. Being a devout Jew, Jonah was reluctant at first to
go to Nineveh. Why should he preach repentance to their enemy? It was not until he was
thrown into the sea, swallowed up by a whale, and kept in its belly for three days, that he
relented and finally obeyed the will of God. Even then, he continued to grumble, God had
to placate him with an explanation. (Book of Jonah)

We should instead follow the example of Andrew and Peter, John and James, who, on
hearing the call of Jesus, immediately responded. As stewards of God’s grace, we
should not be content with just attending prayer meetings, but we should work in the
mission field of BLD. We also should share in the mission of the Church which has “the
ultimate purpose to share in the communion of the Father and the Son in their
Spirit of Love. God desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of
Jesus Christ.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 850-851)

As we resolve to follow Jesus Christ unswervingly and become His faithful and
trustworthy stewards, we can bring others to Jesus by our witness. We read in Lk. 1: 76-
77: “You will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give His people knowledge
of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.” We can claim the promise for his
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week: “…he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice” (Ps. 25: 8b-
9a).

Suggested Personal Reflection Guide:

1. How can I practice periodic examination of conscience?

2. What are the blocks that prevent me from going to frequent confession?
3. How can I encourage my family to go to confession

Next Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:

January 26, 2009 (Mon):
January 27, 2009 (Tue):
January 28, 2009 (Wed):
January 29, 2009 (Thur):
January 30, 2009 (Fri):
January 31, 2009 (Sat):
2 Tm 1:1-8 or Ti 1:1-5; Ps 95:1-3, 7-8; Lk 10:1-9
Heb 10:1-10; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 10-11; Mk 3:31-35
Heb 10:11-18; Ps 110:1-4; Mk 4:1-20
Heb 10:19-25; Ps 24:1-6; Mk 4:21-25
Heb 10:32-39; Ps 37:3-6, 23-24, 39-40; Mk 4:26-34
Heb 11:1-2, 8-19; Lk 1:69-75; Mk 4:35-41

This Week’s Readings for Year of St. Paul:

Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapters 10 – 11

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”