5th Week in Ordinary Time (C) : Wednesday 12th February 2025

God, Who places us in the reality of where we are, will also nourish us with the knowledge and capability to protect and preserve ourselves and the work entrusted to us. “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” While we are free to savour the fruit of our work, we are reminded that there is caution not to ruin the fruit of our submission to God, the Provider. By getting superior over God, our effort can only be deconstructive, leading to a fruitless ending.

Jesus’ view of a person’s defilement or wellness does not focus on the body, but on the heart. Unless we assess our feelings and motives, arrogance and aggression against others can lead us to manifest “the evils that come from inside and defile us.” Jesus is calling us and sending us forth to spread goodness from within our heart. His call is one of service, a summons to do good, and nothing is against this. It is part of our being friends and in fellowship with Him. For this friendship to mature, however, we are to let Him lead us to carry out generously, and fearlessly, the tasks of nourishing others, and not defiling others and extinguishing their glimmer of hope. Unless we care and serve; doubts and fears will always loom on the horizon, we will never really find an anchor of hope.

Lord Jesus, may the cares and longing of my heart align to Your heart.