Bible Reflections I 22.08.2021- Sunday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 21

Readings 

       I - Joshua 24: 1-2, 

                      15-17, 18 

     II - Eph. 5: 21-32 

   III - Jh. 6: 53, 60-69

Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother (Memoria)

COVENANTAL RELATIONSHIP CALLS FOR CONVICTION AND COMMITMENT

In the first reading, Joshua chooses to serve the Lord saying, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).  In the Gospel reading, the twelve disciples chooses to follow Jesus, as Peter represents them answering, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.  We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy one of God” (Jn. 6:68).  As per the second reading, the choice of accepting the Lord and following His commandments, commensurate in the covenantal relationship that exhorts fidelity and faithfulness.  Joshua and his household chooses to serve the Lord, after witnessing the mighty, marvelous and miraculous deeds of the Lord.  Peter and the disciples chose to follow the Lord with utmost faith, understating, reason and trust that He is the Holy One of God.  Joshua and the twelve disciples of Jesus, remained steadfast in their choice with inordinate conviction, commitment and fidelity.

In the light of this reflection, let us introspect interrogating:  Why am I a Christian?  Is it because that our parents baptised when I was a babe and I remain a Christian?  Have I accepted the Christ with conviction that He is the Lord and the Holy One of God who gave up his life to save and redeem me? Does my action remain in congruence with the set example of Christ?  Covenantal relationship calls for conviction and commitment in the observance of the commandments of the Lord:  Primarily to love God and secondly, to love others as oneself.  We had been discussing about these two commandants quite often these days.  Observance of the commandments qualify the covenantal relationship with God while the failure in the observance of the commandments lead to the violation of the covenantal relationship with God.

We fondly remember today, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother.  She had been faithful to her ‘fiat’ meaning ‘let it be done’ until her assumption into Heaven and this is why she is queen and mother.  Let us implore Mother Mary’s intercession, assistance, support and guidance in our fidelity and commitment to the Lord, as we affirm and keep repeating the words of Joshua: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord”.