By Philip Raj A csc –
Readings: Jgs 6:11-24; Mt 19: 23-30
The readings of the day invite us to respond to the voice of the Lord for our common good. God has his own purpose for each one of us. To realize that purpose, we need to listen and respond to the voice of the Lord.
In the first reading, Gideon was called by the Lord to liberate the people of Israel. The moment he was called by the Lord, he humbly accepted that he is weak, and did not refuse to do the will of God. In the gospel reading, the disciples of Jesus responded to the voice of Jesus and left everything to follow him. They even left their families, profession, and their own desires in order to work for the spread of Good News.
Today, God calls us to respond to his voice despite our limitations and weaknesses. God wants to make use of us as his effective instruments, to make his love for the people known. He chooses us for different tasks to liberate a particular section of the society, a family, a parish, a community and so on.
It is difficult for all of us to forgo our own desires and be away from our loved ones in order to respond to the voice of the Lord. But if we say yes, we need to cooperate with the DIVINE WILL by responding to the needs of the society in small ways possible for us. With this, God will fill us with his spirit to carry his mission forward. We no longer remain weak but become strong with the spirit of the Lord.