Ezekiel 28: Graciousness . . . Always
Monday, November 18, 2024
Perhaps the most important message we can take away today is this: No matter our apparent security, we must remain humble and we must remain grateful. The New Testament tells us something further: No matter how correct we are in the position we take, we must remain respectful, and we must remain open to the possibility of the enemy’s transformation. Jesus tells the story of the Prodigal Son and each time we hear it we realize anew how gracious is the forgiving father. How generous and how gracious is our God. We have never sinned too greatly; we have never wandered too far for our grateful and generous father to run to greet us and welcome us home. God is gracious . . . always; but it is only through our own humility that we will find the great joy that the father offers.
Today’s first Mass reading from Paul’s letter to Titus (3) reminds us of the proper place and the attitude we will want to maintain as we do God’s work. He reminds us to be under the control of magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be open to every good enterprise. [We] are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, exercising all graciousness toward everyone. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another. But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit . . .
As we meet corruption and misuse of power, let us be grateful always, humble always, slandering no one. Let us be considerate always, and let us exercise graciousness . . . always.
To reflect a bit more on the Gospel Parables and God’s Graciousness click on the image above or go to: http://www.goodnews.ie/graciousness.shtml
LA BIBLIA DE LA AMÉRICA. 8th. Madrid: La Casa de la Biblia, 1994. Print.
Written on November 10, 2010, re-written and posted today as a Favorite.
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