Tuesday of the 6th week in the ordinary time year 2
Theme: God does not tempt us
In the 1st reading of today, St. James points out the fact that anything evil does not come from God, and God does not tempt us. But we are rather tempted often times when we are lured by our personal desires. That is why people are lured into sin by their personal desires. However, if we remain steadfast when we are tempted and do not give in to sin, our faith is strengthened more. We see that in the life of Jesus, when the devil tempted him in the wilderness. Our resolve to remain steadfast in faith at such moments has a way of strengthening our faith in God. The choice we make at such moments, make all the difference, and the closer we are to God the better for us. The grace of God will never desert us at such moments, if we are truly connected to him in prayer and our way of life. If we can achieve this, then it will be easier for us to listen and practice the admonition of Jesus in today’s gospel.
Jesus warns us against the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod, it is deceptive and misleading and should not be found amongst us as children of God. In this gospel passage, Jesus is saying we should not live a hypocritical life that is misleading; just like what the Pharisees and Herod did. Our lives as children of God should be modelled to that of Jesus, such that it is not embedded with any form of deception that will easily mislead other people. My brothers and sisters in Christ, can you relate with the saying of Jesus in the gospel passage? Have there been moments in your life that your action was misleading to those around you? The Lord encourages us today in a very special way to embrace authenticity of life in our dealings with other people. Try to be real and sincere in your dealings with all those who encounter you at one time or the other in your journey of faith.
Sometimes it may be challenging to make this a reality in our life, but with God everything is possible. Do your best and trust in God, this is very important at such moments. What God cannot do does not exist. Resolve to do all within your power to make it a reality in your life. May God grant us the grace to model our life after his own at all times. Peace be with you.