The first reading presents us with the account of how King David became the king of Israel. Before now, David had just being only king of Judah, but because the tribe of Israel sought to be at peace, they meet king David at Hebron and made a pact with him to be their king; so David became the king of Israel. David reigned as a good king over Israel but that did not guarantee that inner peace that Israel sought. Only Jesus can bring us that inner peace that all human beings seek, because he is the true King of the Universe. Only Jesus can take us to heaven where we will be at peace forever. It is in this regard that the gospel reading presents Jesus saying to the (‘good thief’) criminal crucified alongside with him that he would be with him in paradise, for his rebuke of the other thief crucified alongside with them, who was mocking Jesus’ universal kingship, and then in faith requesting that Jesus should remember him in his kingdom. Our lasting peace is guaranteed in Christ Jesus, and for this reason, St. Paul, in the second reading, says: “Let us give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. He delivered us from the power of darkness and transformed us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” To seek for inner peace outside of Christ, is a complete waste of time.
PRAYER:
MY Lord, help me never build my peace of mind around any human being or material thing, rather, grant me the wisdom of understanding how disappointing and unreliable both human beings and materials things are, so that I only build my peace of mind in and around God. The world has no true peace to offer, so Lord, grant me lasting and true peace in my life that only you can offer.
TRAIN A VIRTUE FOR CHRIST FOR THE WEEK: (Hope) Look to God for the fulfillment of your good desires.
DAY’S MEDITATION POINTS:
(a) Can you live without hope?
(b) Why is hope in God important?
(c) What destroys hope in God?
MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK:
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Fr. Mark Okojie (My Daily Life with Christ Volume 2, No. 10, 11 & 12
Write down below something from today’s homily. Reflect on it for the coming week
BIBLE PASSAGES FOR DAILY REFLECTION
SUNDAY Psalm 43
MONDAY Psalm 146
TUESDAY Psalm 136
WEDNESDAY Psalm 7
THURSDAY Psalm 127
FRIDAY Psalm 17
SATURDAY Psalm 4