23rd Week in Ordinary Time (B) : Wednesday 11th September 2024

With regard to conduct and performing duties, St Paul cautions the Corinthians not to be oblivious, only taken with mere earthly pleasures. He urges them to consider that time is short and the end of all things is coming soon. The prospect that all is passing must affect the foundation of their way of life.

And so, without inhibition, Paul tells them “to remain as you are”, whether married or single. However, they must remain even more faithful to their duties; not to dispense themselves but rather, to disengage themselves from earthly attachments that distract them from truly loving and serving God. How are our attitudes towards our duties? We must adopt the new attitudes of life in Christ found in the Beatitudes.

In Luke’s account of the Beatitudes, the much cherished values of God’s kingdom are contrasted with woe to detractors.  It provides a moral compass to live a blessed life as disciples of Christ. Jesus offers us an audaciously consoling vision of attitudes, which is a reformist form of love, fidelity and compassion. Jesus blesses the poor, the hungry and those who weep. This helps us to realize that God shows compassion to the distressed and vulnerable. Our vulnerability creates an opening for God to channel graces and work actively in our lives. When we come before the Lord in our poverty, hunger and sadness, we realize that we must submit totally to God for His mercy and love.

Lord, shape our attitudes according to Yours, to show conversion is possible.