Faith is more than following certain rituals – it demands action which seeks to make a difference to the world around us. Fr Richard reflects on today’s readings from Mass.
Readings for Monday of week 15 of ordinary time can be found here.
Gym owners and personal trainers often report two moments in the year when interest surges from people wanting to join up. The first is on January 1st, as people make new year resolutions about wanting to get fit. The second is around now, as people realise their summer holiday is coming soon and they need to get into shape for the beach. However, the same gym owners and PTs also report a surprising drop-off from about February until July, and again from August through to December. Often, people will make all the right noises. They sign up, they buy new gym kit, and they may even visit the gym once or twice. But somehow all of this ritual doesn’t actually translate into action which makes a difference.
In today’s first reading Isaiah is castigating the people of Judah and Jerusalem for just such an attitude in relation to their faith. He even witheringly compares them to Sodom and Gomorrah, those places of sin and evil we read about in Genesis. The people are making all the sacrifices and pilgrimages required by Jewish law, but God says that he is sick of them, cannot endure them, and even hates them. Why such strong language? Because the people have neglected to do the most important things, namely searching for justice, helping the oppressed, being kind to the orphan and widow. They had made all the right noises, bought the gym kit and other paraphernalia, but didn’t follow through with real action that would change society for the better.
In the Gospel, Jesus is clear that being a Christian is tough and demanding. Sometimes it will lead to division within the family. Indeed, it must take precedence over family. We are to follow in Jesus’ own footsteps, taking up our cross and losing our life for his sake. But in the midst of all this challenge there is also a wonderful assurance. “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me”, Jesus says. In other words, when we go about preaching the Gospel and continuing Jesus’ work, we represent him to the world and to others. Let us then not merely talk or think about being a Christian, but actually get on and do it, with all its many challenges but also with all its many rewards.
Mass today is in St Dyfrig and St Samson at 6.30pm.
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