Tuesday of 25th Week, Year II: reflection

Theme: Do what is right and fair; this pleases the Lord more than sacrifices (Prov. 21:3)

Reading: Prov. 21:1–6;10–13

Dear friends in Christ, today’s first reading is full of wise sayings that offer practical instructions for whoever wants to be good in the sight of God. I wish to share some of them with you.

1. “You may think that everything you do is right, but remember that the Lord judges your motives” (21:2). This reminds us that what God sees when he looks at our actions is not what meets the eyes of the people, which might be deceptive, but the true motive behind our actions. So, the very action that attracted praises, titles, and other forms of appreciation from the people may condemn its performer before God. Indeed, we can only fool men with our actions, not God. This is a wake-up call for us to focus more on the motives behind our actions than on the praises that come with them.

2. “Do what is right and fair; this pleases the Lord more than bringing Him sacrifices” (21:3). Most times, we think we can deceive God, conceal our sins before Him or purchase His favours by giving Him gifts. For this reason, after committing atrocities against our fellow humans, we rush to church on Sundays and make huge donations and thanksgiving offerings to God, thinking we can now relax and enjoy our share of the spoil, since we have given God and the Church their own share. Dear friends, doing good is the best sacrifice we can make to God. Sacrifices offered to Him with stained hands are abominations to Him.

3. “The riches you make by dishonesty soon disappears, but not before they lead you into the jaws of death” (21: 6). What can we say to those who lie in their business dealings with others just to make excess profit, or those who lie to people just to attract sympathy and financial help? Of course, they rejoice after every successful trip, but this biblical passage says the wealth they made through dishonesty will not only vanish, but will also lead them to death.

4. “If you refuse to listen to the cry of the poor, your own cry for help will not be heard” (21:13). Whoever has arrived at the top should not look down on those who are at the bottom, for the table might turn anytime.

Dear friends, let he who has ears listen.

May your efforts this Tuesday bear good fruits, Amen.

Fr Isaac Chima