“THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD” (Zech 8:8)

⏰Monday of the Twenty-Sixth Week of Ordinary Time 1 (30 Sept. 2019 – Memorial of St. Jerome)

📖Zech 8:1-8; Ps 102:16-18, 19-21, 29 and 22-23 (R.v.17); Luke 9:46-50

🎤”THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD” (Zech 8:8)

What a beautiful way to begin this working week! Do you remember what we said some time ago concerning the purpose for the book of the prophet Zechariah? We did say that he came with a message of hope for the people. And that is just the fact that God himself is going to come and dwell in their midst.

The presence of God among them means that they would not lack (cf. Ps 23), neither would they be harmed in anyway (see Ps 91). Rather they shall continue to bear fruit in season and out of season (cf. Jer 17:8; John 15). This presence of God was all that Peter needed (cf. Matt 17:4). And today, God is promising you again, through the prophet Zechariah that he shall be your God.

However, that promise comes with a price. You need to make effort to be for him first. He has already given you the grace to seek him and find him, but he is not going to force you to seek him. If you follow him, he will give you the power to become his child (cf. John 1:12-13) and so reap all the benefits of being an heir of his kingdom.

Note that over-ambition and too much attachment and quest for worldly powers (see Luke 9:46-50) can distract us from focusing on him. That is why we need to embrace humility at all times as Jesus encourages us (cf. Luke 9:48).

Do you really want to know and be for God? St. Jerome, whose memorial we celebrate today tells us that where we need to begin is from the study of the scripture. According to him, “Ignorance of the scripture is ignorance of Christ.” You can begin by ensuring you study at least one verse of the scripture per day.

May his grace in us be renewed once more so that we might be focused on him at all times without limitation. And may your needs this new working week and beyond be achieved in him through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Have a blessed and fulfilled working wee. Peace be with you.