Readings: Ezek. 18:1-10,13,30-32; Ps. 51; Matt. 19:13-15
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
EVERY SOUL SHALL BEAR THE CONSEQUENCES OF IT’S ACTIONS
Most of the time, we often find it difficult to understand the way God operates, especially as regards his relationship with humanity. This is because humanity has failed to understand how God’s mercy and justice are applicable in our relationship with him and with one another. Little wonder, today, in our first reading, the prophet Ezekiel demonstrated to us how God’s mercy and justice will be a standard for judging humanity.
Here, he began by asking: why do you keep repeating this proverb in the land of Israel: “The fathers have eaten unripe grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”? For there will no longer be any reason to repeat this proverb in Israel. Since all life belongs to God, the father’s life and the son’s life, both alike, belong to him. The man who has sinned is the one who shall die.
So we are made to know that those who fall into sin and wickedness will be judged by those same sins they committed, and if found wanting, they will be condemned because of them. And if anyone has a son prone to violence and bloodshed, then this son shall certainly not live; having committed all the appalling crimes he will have to die, and his blood be on his own head.
On the other hand, the upright man will be blessed for he is law-abiding and honest; he does not eat on the mountains or raise his eyes to the idols of the House of Israel and does not seduce his neighbour’s wife or sleep with a woman during her periods. He oppresses no one, returns pledges, never steals, and gives his own bread to the hungry and his clothes to the naked. He never charges usury on loans, takes no interest, abstains from evil, and gives honest judgement between man and man, for the Lord will judge each one by what he or she does.
Remember, that when the upright man renounces his integrity to sin and dies because of this, he dies because of the evil that he has committed, and this is God’s justice in action. But when the sinner renounces sin to become law-abiding, honest and holy, he deserves to live. He has chosen to renounce all his previous sins; he shall certainly live; he shall not die, this is God’s mercy in action. For we cannot separate God’s mercy and justice, because they are the same. The fact remains that, God is not interested in our past sinful ways, but in our present state of life.
Hence, everyone has to bear the consequences of his or her actions. So it is time for us to repent and renounce all our sins and avoid all occasions of sin. Shake off all the sins we have committed against God and one another. It is time to make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit as the psalmist of today says. Thus, we have to be vigilant always and strive to be righteous before God and man.
Dear friends, today, we have to make a fundamental choice to live a holy life and never to return to our sinful ways of life. We must struggle every day to grow in righteousness and never give up, no matter the situation we are going through. We must learn to live a holy life and sacrifice in humility and innocence of hearts just like little children.
Little wonder Jesus said in our Gospel passage: ‘Let the little children alone, and do not stop them coming to me; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’ So, Jesus appreciates it when, in childlike humility, we make the fundamental option to serve him and to sacrifice for the good of others, for we are called to taste and see that the Lord is good.
LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we struggle every day towards holiness and perfection, may we be guided by the Holy Spirit and strive to remain on the path of righteousness and never go back to our sinful and ugly ways of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a peaceful weekend.
