Monday of the 13th week in ordinary time

Gen. 18: 16-33      Mathew 8: 18-22

Theme: The mercy of God

In the 1st reading of today from the Book of Genesis, we see the depth of God’s love for his people. He is ready to spare the people of Sodom and Gomorrah from destruction, if ten good people are found amongst them. It is interesting the extent to which God is ready to go, to lead us to the right path. He does not desire that anyone one of us should perish, but rather that we live a good life and have eternal life at the end of our earthly pilgrimage. We see how patient God can be with us, in the scenario that plays out in the 1st reading of today, between him and Abraham. He did not get offended with the request Abraham was making on behalf of the people, he was rather very patient with Abraham and continued until they got to ten. Ordinarily, some of us would have gotten angry as Abraham continued to reduce the number from fifty, but God was patient and continued to show us the depth of his love and mercy for the people. God has not changed, this is exactly how he treats us in our own time, he continues to give us the opportunity for us to retrace our steps and come back to the right path that will lead us to eternal life. We are all encouraged today to respond positively to the appeal Abraham made today for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, and by extension to all of us as children of God, to do what is good, right and acceptable to God.

Another point that I would also want us to reflect on, is the attitude of Abraham, as he stands in the gap for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. He is interceding on behalf of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah in love. This is because even though God was threatening to destroy the people, it was not going to affect him, because the blessings God has promised him is assured. He was not comfortable with the fact that he was the only person who was to benefit, while others will be destroyed, so he had to plead for the people. This tells us the kind of man that Abraham was. He was a man that was selfless and concerned about the good of others. This is a virtue that is greatly needed in our world today, when people are becoming increasingly self centred and less selfless like Abraham. We are all encouraged today to emulate selflessness in our daily lives. As you strive to make this happen in your daily life, may almighty God bless you in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.