Friday of the 2nd week in the ordinary time
Theme: Covenant keeping God
In the 1st reading of today, the letter to the Hebrews reminds us about the covenant we have entered into with God. He has fulfilled his own side of the covenant because all what he said is already fulfilled in our lives as Christians and children of God in our own time. This goes to show that we serve a faithful and covenant keeping God, who never goes back on his words. The question today dearly beloved in Christ is whether we are keeping our covenant with God or we are breaking it like the Israelites? This is another opportunity for us to seek the mercy of God and make effort respect the covenants we have entered into with God, if we are not doing so already. We have entered into covenant with God in different ways; it could be during the reception of any of the sacraments of the church, or even during challenging situation in our life at one time or the other. Let us make honest effort to be faithful to any covenant we enter into in our lives.
In the gospel reading from St. Mark, Jesus went up the mountain and appointed his twelve Apostles. The use of the word mountain here is symbolic; the mountain is a place of prayer and encounter between Jesus and his father. This simply means that he did not just appoint them, he prayed before he chose the twelve Apostles. This shows that as followers of Christ, we have to emulate Jesus in all that we do in our daily lives. Appointing his collaborators was an important task, and he went up the mountain to seek the help of his heavenly father. In the same way my brothers and sisters in Christ, we must try to always consult with God in our daily lives as we make choices over different issues in our lives. It is never too late to introduce such a practice in our daily lives, whenever we decide to make this step of faith, God is eagerly waiting to accept and support us. However, the decision to opt for Christ is totally dependent on us as individuals; God does not force us to make such a move.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, making that bold step today will connect us in a very special way to God, who is the covenant keeping God. We all need him and his presence in our life. May the Lord grant us the grace of faithfulness in our lives, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.