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TODAY’S WORD…

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Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent,

and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

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Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.

Do what it says.

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– James 1:21-22 (NIV)

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REFLECTION…

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Let us read it again:

Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent,

and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.

Do what it says.

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We truly must, each and every one of us,

take a close look at ourselves (not at others – but at ourselves!),

make an examination of conscience,

and if we find that we are harbouring filth and vice

in whatever form, even if it is thought alone,

then we must get rid of it – completely and decisively.

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We must turn our back on all that is evil

and cleanse the mind and body from all vice

because it is only then that we are able to live in a truly worthy manner

as persons who belong to Christ

and who gladly receive His word of salvation.

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To receive the word of God, we must listen docilely to it

and we need to do all we can to keep evil inclinations at bay.

Otherwise, pride – deceiving itself with all sorts of false reasons –

rebels against the word of God,

because it sees it as a continuous reproach

for a habit of sin that our egoistic self is unwilling to give up.

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Finally, we must also do what the word tells us to do,

and we must seek to do so with consistency.

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QUOTE…

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"A Christian should always be genuine,

should never be content with words alone.

The mission he has received is a delicate one:

he should be leaven in society, light of the world, salt of the earth.

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As time goes by,

the Christian becomes more and more aware of his commitment,

and the difficulties it entails:

he discovers he has to swim against the tide,

he has to bear witness to truths which are absolute, yet invisible;

he has to lose his earthly life in order to gain eternity;

he needs to feel responsible not just for himself

but also for his neighbour

– for whom he should light the way, and edify and save.

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However, he realises that he is not alone in all this […].

The Christian knows that not only did Jesus Christ, the Word of God,

become man to reveal saving truth and redeem mankind;

He has also chosen to stay with us on earth,

mysteriously renewing the sacrifice of the Cross by means of the Eucharist

and becoming spiritual food for the soul

and accompanying it on its journey through life"

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– Pope St. John Paul II

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Give me the strength, O Lord, and the determination

to put You at the centre of my life

and to humbly live Your word.

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