God is with us!

WORD 2day: Friday, 14th week in Ordinary time

July 8, 2022: Hosea 14: 2-10; Matthew 10: 16-23

"For the ways of the Lord are straight," declares prophet Hosea today(Hos 14:10). Straight, and therefore tough. Straight and therefore no compromises. Straight and therefore no confusions! Everyone knows the ways of the Lord; everyone knows what is acceptable to the Lord and what is not; it is made known by the Lord to every human person in their innermost self. No one can say, at any point of time, 'I did not know this is not acceptable in the eyes of the Lord!' Our heart seems to know it, so innately!

The words of Jesus in the Gospel are quite frightening as we find Jesus trying to warn us, in circumstances that we choose to be good, when we choose the ways of the Lord and choose to be God's disciples or apostles of the Word. Jesus does not promise any prospects, instead persecutions aplenty. He does not announce any offers, instead oppressions. He says it very clearly that we will have to suffer for his sake, for the sake of the Word and for the sake of the Reign of God.

But there is one thing that he assures: the consolation of the Lord, the consoling and affirming presence of the Lord with us. Because what we have chosen is the way of the Lord, we are certain to find the Lord present with us all the way. The way might be filled with pitfalls and climbs, and hurdles, thorns and thistles... but we are sure amidst all these, that the Lord walks with us, speaks on our behalf and acts in and through us. What a mighty consolation we have: God is with us!