Sunday 15th February – 6th Sunday of the year

Reflection: 1 Corinthians 10:31- 11:1

LIVE FOR GOD’S GLORY   –   BE CONSIDERATE

“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Avoid giving offense, whether to the Jews or Greeks or the Church of God”. 1 Cor 10: 31-32

In this era of individualism with everyone holding on to the slogan: “I must live my own life how I want” there is tendency for us to forget that no one’s life concerns him alone. None of us lives or dies for himself alone. Such interdependency is what invests life with such tremendous significance. Great forces, good or evil, influence our lives from others just as powerful influence flows out of our lives to contribute to the character formation of others. In this light of our interdependency on each other, God asked Cain; “where is your brother?” And Cain, trying to be an island replied: “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Hence, St. Paul wrote: “Everything is lawful for me, but not everything is to my profit. Everything is lawful for me, but not everything builds up: let no one pursue his own interests, but the interests of the other” (1Cor 10: 23-24). Dear friend, if you have been privileged to grow in your relationship with God, it is your responsibility to lead others to God and not away from Him. It is your duty to watch your way of life so as not to mislead others even if your action is not sinful in itself.

The glory of God is Man fully alive. The life God offers is all-encompassing (physical, spiritual, emotional, financial, psychological); thus in our spiritual strength we must seek to assist the weak; in our wealth we must reach out to the poor and in our wisdom we must instruct those going astray. God desires that all men live in fullness of life and each of us has been called to fulfill this desire of God. Dear friends, take time today to reflect on how well you have been your brother’s keeper.

PRAYER: Lord, please give me the grace to seek the common good in all I do so that my way of life may daily draw others to you. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 2287 – Anybody who uses the power at his disposal in such a way that it leads others to do wrong becomes guilty of scandal and responsible for the evil that he has directly or indirectly encouraged. “Temptations to sin are sure to come; but woe to him by whom they came!” (Lk 17:1)

HIDE A TREASURE: “Do not seek your own interest, but rather that of others” Philippians 2:4 CCB

Today’s readings: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46, Psalm 32:1-2,5, 11; 1 Corinthians 10:31–11:1; Mark 1:40-45