Newton Basumatari csc –
Readings: 1 Kgs 19: 9a, 11- 16; Mt 5:27 – 32
God expressed His love to humanity in different ways. Even when we fail to be faithful to His covenant, God still loves us. When we are overwhelmed with tensions and problems, we often seek help and consolation everywhere, much like Prophet Elijah searching for God, without realizing that God is waiting for us, ready to fill us with His love.
The story of Elijah on Mount Horeb illustrates the importance of recognizing God’s presence, not necessarily in spectacular or dramatic events, but often in the quiet whispers of our hearts. In our own lives, we need to seek God in the stillness of prayer and contemplation, where we often hear His voice most clearly.
In the Gospel passage, Jesus challenges His disciples to a deeper righteousness that extends beyond external actions to the attitudes and intentions of the heart. He warns against the dangers of lust and adultery, emphasizing the importance of purity of heart and mind. To be faithful to God’s covenant, we need to be pure in heart and mind.
When our hearts and minds are pure, we become transparent to one another. This transparency strengthens the relationship between husband and wife in marriage and fosters fraternal love in community life. Today, through the readings, we are invited to seek God in the stillness of our hearts, so that we may be pure in mind and heart.