How is my Conscience?

Thursday of the Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time/ September 24, 2020

Photo Credit: Craig Owens

Gospel: Luke 9:7-9

Friends, in today’s Gospel Herod the Tetrarch was greatly perplexed hearing all about what was happening because some were saying John the Baptist, whom he had beheaded has been raised from the dead, and others were saying, ‘It was Elijah and still others one of the prophets has arisen! For this he kept trying to see him.

Herod was kept on trying to see Jesus, not because he believed in Him, but because he wants to confirm if it is really ‘John the Baptist’ whom he beheaded has been raised from the dead. His conscience really is disturbing him. He could not have peace because of what he had done to John. He was guilty of beheading John, and his guilt is eating him alive!

Friends, the experience of Herod, is also happening to us. When we commit sin against the Lord and our brethren, our conscience is crying out for peace. It is gasping for fresh air to breathe for we are suffocated. It stirring and disturbing us so that we can change ways and go back to God.

Friends, what the Lord invites us today is to look into our inner selves. To see how are we now? How is my conscience? Am I listening to my conscience when it speaks? We remember always that our ‘conscience’ is the inner voice of God who tells us if we are already losing His path! We hope that we may able to listen to our conscience.

Prayer

Abba, thank You for forgiving us our sins. Thank You for being our conscience. May we able to listen to You always. May we be able to come back when we are losing our way. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son who lives with You in unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Power and Authority

Wednesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time/ September 23, 2020

Photo Credit: Dominacan Province of St. Joseph

Gospel: Luke 9:1-6

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. And He instructed them to take nothing in their journey.

Christ summoned His Apostles to bring His message to all towns and villages they might reach. But He gave them His power and authority for He does not want them to fail in the mission of announcing the good news of salvation, as the prophet Isaiah said, “to bring glad tidings to every one especially the poor.”

This mission is also a reminder for us, ‘baptized’, as we receive the threefold mission of Christ: the priestly mission which is to ‘worship God’ with all our heart, mind, and soul; the prophetic mission which is to ‘announce and witness’ the good news of the Kingdom of God throughout all the earth; and the Kingly mission which is to serve. We need also to continue Christ mission, His mission of salvation for everyone. We are also, entrusted by the Lord His message. And we need to proclaim it to our brothers and sisters. May we will not be watered down His message.

Prayer

Abba, thank You for giving us Christ Jesus, Your message of Salvation for us. May we who receive and partake in His life, become a missionary disciple. Through the same Christ our Lord, in unity with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.