FRIDAY JUNE 14, 2024
FRIDAY OF THE TENTH WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME B
1 King19:9,11-16
Matthew 5:27-32
OVERCOMING THE ROOT CAUSES OF OUR SINFULNESS
Human inclinations, desires and affections sometimes plunge us into life of sinfulness. It shows that our attachment to life of sinfulness sometimes goes beyond the external causes to the interior and internal human inclinations, desires and affections which are the root causes of our fallen state. These are where our Lord Jesus points to us today to mortify and if possible to “cut off” from our lives.
Speaking highly figuratively and symbolically, our Lord Jesus advocates for a thorough overview of our lives in order to discover those inclinations, desires and affections. He talks of “plucking out the eyes” and “cutting off” the hands. It does not mean the physically plucking or cutting off of the hand. But Jesus implies the denial of ourselves the actions and activities of these vital organs that lead us to evil instead of good.
It seeks to put more value and worth on the moral code of sanctity and purity over anything else in us in their use and actions. We must prize our purity, sanctity and bodily holiness over and above all sensual pleasures, evil inclinations and desires. We must not fall prey to the desires of our heart and affections and live under their burdens that leads us to sinfulness. Neither must we be guarded or ruled by their debased desires, inclinations and affections.
What must be uppermost in our moral principles and lifestyle is keeping God’s commands, living life of purity and sanctity and never ever compromising ourselves in any way to undermine our sanctity, purity and the grace of God in us.
Our point of departure each day is to observe and question ourselves on what we are sacrificing daily to become pure, sacred and holy? What rules us predominantly in life? What appetite do we seek to satisfy in this journey of life? Do we yield easily to our sensual appetite and have no control over them? Does our sensual appetite overcome our spiritual longings and desires?
In concrete terms, Jesus is pointing out the root causes of our falling state, which are our appetite, our submission to the pleasures of sensual bodily and the lure to satisfy them. Leaving ourselves at the mercy of these powers and their desires will eventually lead to our spiritual death. But to avoid these enemies of life, we must fight to deny ourselves of their over functionality and to end their actions and numb their desires.
Though, it may be sacrificial and painful to keep check of these desires and sometimes to deny oneself of their use and actions, yet these can be rewording when appropriately appropriated for the good of the entire body and for the salvation of our souls.
The battle for sanctity and holiness rages and we must put on concerted effort to win it through mortification and detachment.
Heavenly Father, our senses and sensual parts derail us sometimes sending signals that are inimical to our spiritual well-being. We beg you, give us the spirit of self control and prudence to put to check the desires and inclinations of our members. Help us to attain in ourselves holiness of life, sanctity of the body and purity of mind. May our lives be graced to overcome the appetite of self gratification, the lust of the eyes and pride of sense and to prize highly and work earnestly for the eternal values and union with you and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
