Friday 4^thJuly – Friday of week 13 of the year

Reflection: Psalm 119: 2, 10-30, 40, 131

MAKING A CHOICE FOR THE TRUTH

Every day we live, we are obliged to make choices; these decisions ultimately determine our end here on earth and in the life after. Our choices truly reflect our priorities and preferences in life no matter what we claim to stand for or what we want others to believe about us. If we will be honest enough with ourselves, we will admit that a good number of times, our decisions or actions stem primarily from self-consideration and personal interest. Our subconscious seems to readily evaluate situations and occasions on the basis of self-gain. We have “innocently” or deliberately done this many times at the expense of justice and fairness to our neighbour(s); hence a clear illustration of “living on bread alone” (Luke 4:4). However, we must heed the warning of St Paul: “Food for the belly, and the belly for food, but God will destroy both” (1 Corinthians 6:13). The carnality of self-preoccupation does not guarantee true happiness; hence, Truth calls us to a nobler and more gratifying way of life. We must daily decide for this if we are to live a wholesome life.

“Sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth” (John 17:17). Until we are wholly sanctified in the truth of God’s word, our decisions and actions in life will remain tainted by the corrupt human nature (Romans 5: 12-15). So there is need to daily calibrate our hearts with the Word of God, to root out the selfish tendency therein (psalm 119:9).

This is the pathway to a fuller and healthier life as it opens us up to a better understanding of the virtue called love. The more we love, the easier we embrace the truth of the Gospel.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, the way, the truth and the life, please root out of me all selfish inclination that my life may truly reflect you- the living Word. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 454 – How strongly obligatory is the truth of the faith?

Every Christian must give testimony to the truth and thereby follow after Christ, who before Pilate said, “For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth” (Jn 18:37).

This can even mean that a Christian lays down his life out of fidelity to the truth and love for God and mankind. This ultimate form of commitment to the truth is called martyrdom.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” Psalm 119: 105 RSV-CE

Readings for Today: Amos 8: 4-6, 9-12; Psalm 119: 2, 10-30, 40, 131; Matthew 9: 9-13