“I HAVE OPENED MY MOUTH TO THE LORD, AND I CANNOT TAKE BACK MY VOW” (Judg 11:35)

⏰Thursday of the Twentieth Week of Ordinary Time 1 (19 August 2021)

📖Judg 11:29-39a; Ps 40:5, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10 (R.v.8a, 9a); Matt 22:1-14

🎤”I HAVE OPENED MY MOUTH TO THE LORD, AND I CANNOT TAKE BACK MY VOW” (Judg 11:35)

Reading through Judg 11:29-39, something keeps me from being blinded by the fact that the actions of Jephthah in sacrificing his only daughter were borne of a pagan custom that was already condemned by God (cf. Lev 18:21; 20:2-5; Deut 12:31). Instead, the FAITHFULNESS OF JEPHTHAH TO FULFIL HIS VOWS TO THE LORD struck me.

How often do we keep our vows to the Lord? I tried to ask myself how well I have been keeping my own vows to the Lord. At my ordination, I took the vow of celibacy; am I faithful in keeping this vow? I also made a promise of obedience; how much do I obey my superiors?

We all have one vow or the other which we have made to the Lord. At our baptism, we vowed to reject Satan and all his works. Even if we were baptized as infants, as adults, we have had many opportunities to renew that vow. Do we now work for the Satan through materialism, secret cults and fraternities and other kinds of evil?

If we are found to be doing so, we shall be like that man who came to wedding feast without putting on the wedding garment. What a dangerous penalty he had to pay for that (cf. Matt 22:11-13), and which awaits those like him.

Let us retrace our steps to holiness of life and communion with all Christs faithful. Renew your vows to the Lord today with the psalmist, See, I have come, Lord, to do your will, and it shall be well with me.

May the Lord help you in your firm resolve to do so. Amen.

It is the 4th day of my novena in preparation for my 8th priestly anniversary. Keep me in your prayers as I do so for you.

Have a blessed day ahead. It is well with you.