THE STEADFAST LOVE OF THE LORD NEVER CEASES

⏰Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time Year 2 (24 January 2018 – Memorial of St. Francis de Sales)

????2 Sam 7:4-17; Ps 89:4-5, 27-28, 29-30 (R.v.29a); Mark 4:1-20

Did you hear what God said to David concerning his offspring? “When he commits iniquity, I will chasten him… but I will NOT take my merciful love from him” (2 Sam 7:14-15). That kind of everlasting love is what we are called to emulate. Jesus goes about taking this mercy to the people in places where they are. This is why he was mostly found in synagogues and beside the seas.

In Jesus’ time, the sea served as a major source of income for Jews. They were mostly farmers and fishermen. The sea became a beehive of activities because of the activities of the fishermen and the means of transport for the export of their fishes and other farm products. That explains the constant large crowd around the sea whenever Jesus is teaching.

However, notice from the parable of the sower in Mark 4:1-20 that not all those people to whom Jesus preaches the mercy of God, would hear, understand and accept it. Just like what happens in a market place, some would be fascinated by his eloquence but never touched to change (see Mark 4:4-6). Others would be overwhelmed by the activities of the market, and so lose the message (see Mark 4:7). But for those who listen and accept it, the mercy of God rests on them in abundance (see Mark 4:8).

Our world is like a market place. Is there anything around you that is distracting you from listening and understanding the message of mercy that Jesus is offering us all? St. Francis de Sales was not distracted from listening to that message. Hence he embraced his priestly duties with devotion and was one with Christ to the extent that he died with the name of Jesus on his lips.

May the Lord be patient with us even when we wander away from his mercy, and grant us the grace of listening to him at all times and remaining in his love. Amen.

Have a joyful day ahead. Peace be with you.