10th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) : Friday 14th June 2024

In the First Book of Kings, we read Elijah was running away. The Israelites had broken their covenant with God and had killed the other prophets and were planning to kill Elijah. He was told to wait for the Lord to come and speak with him. The Lord wasn’t in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire but He was in the silence. How often do we expect the Lord to speak in a loud voice when He more often comes to us in the silence? Are we willing to sit in silence for the Lord to speak?

Jesus had just shared with the people what we call “the Beatitudes” and had said that He had come to fulfill the Law, not to abolish it. Then Jesus encouraged people to follow the Law by avoiding situations that might cause them to sin. To avoid adultery, don’t look lustfully at women. Jesus used hyperbole to illustrate His meaning – cut off your hand and pluck out your eye. But His meaning is clear – avoid putting yourself into situations that could lead you to sin. We care about our bodies so much that we do not want to hurt ourselves, likewise in relationships, especially marriage, we ought to believe it has to be a mutually honoured agreement. Jesus cautions us to reflect deeply, “Am I aware of situations that I need to avoid, and yet do I go there anyway?”

Lord, help me to listen to Your voice and be led by You.