Old testament reading : King Ahab summoned all the Israelites and the prophets of Baal to meet at mount Carmel. On Mount Carmel, God denied the sacrifice from Baal's prophets but accepted the Sacrifice of Elijah the prophet. After this event, God Stirred up the Spirit in Elijah and , at Mount Carmel, Elijah said to King Ahab “Now go and eat.I hear the roar of rain approaching.” While Ahab went to eat, Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel, where he bowed down to the ground, with his head between his knees. He said to his servant, “Go and look toward the sea”. The servant went and returned, saying, “ I didn’t see a thing.” Seven times in all Elijah told him to go and look. The seventh time he returned and said, “I saw a little cloud no bigger! than a man’s hand, coming up from the sea.” Elijah ordered the servant, “Go to King Ahab and tell him to get in his chariot and go back home before the rain stops him.” In a little while the sky was covered with dark clouds, the wind began to blow, and a heavy rain began to fall. Ahab got in his chariot and started back to Jezreel”. 1 kings 18:41-46
Gospel : “You have heard that people were told in the past, “Do not commit murder; anyone who does will be brought to trial. But now I tell you: whoever is angry with his brother will be brought to trial, whoever calls his brother ‘you good for nothing’ will be brought before the Council, and whoever calls his brother a worthless fool will be in danger of going to the fire of hell. So if you are about to offer the gifts to Altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift in front of the altar, go at once to your brother and make peace with your brother and then come back and offer your gift to God”. Matthew 5:20-25</F! ONT> Reflection: God worked a very powerful miracle at Mount Carmel. God showed a great sign that he was with his chosen people. “ The Lord send down fire, and it burned up the sacrifice” 1Kings 18.38. This powerful God encounter had lasting impact on the spectators. Fear of God over powered them and they “threw themselves to the ground and exclaimed. The Lord is God; the Lord alone is God” 1 kings 18.39. The ability to acknowled God is the greatest miracle in our lives. A Godless and confused nation assembled with their priests (priests of Baal) on Mount Carmel with their king Ahab. God answered the intercession of the prophet Elijah and showed Himself up. "The Lord send down fire, and it bur! ned up the sacrifice” 1Kings 18.38. People believed and reiterated their faith in the God of Abraham, Moses and Jacob. In our Lives: We pass through similar doubts and denials of God’s love. There is always a Mount Carmel episode for us; a time to proclaim our faith in God and that would be the saving moment. When the Israelites saw the might of God, they reaffirmed their faith in God and the drought came to an end. Life giving Rain fell on their soil.Similarly, There would be an end of inner drought for us. Peace and tranquility will envelop us, as we become Spirit filled followers of Jesus. The Followers of Jesus are good in forgiving the offenders. Often times our family members could be the people, we need to forgive. It is our attitude to our own family that might make us unworthy to offer sacrifice to God. I should say, our attitude to our family members render our offering unacceptable to God. We might be carrying the idols of selfishness, arrogance, uncontrolled anger, ignorance, unfaithfulness to God and to our commitment in life, as the symbols of Baal, rendering us Baal’s intercessors and or priests. There could be one or many Baal priests in each of us. They curb us to proclaim our faith in human creations and ambitions. But God will deal rightfully to such attitudes and might reject our sacrifices. Jesus has said “ So if you are about to offer the gifts to Altar and there you remember that your brother has some! thing against you, leave your gift in front of the altar, go at once to your brother and then come back and offer your gift” Mt. 5.25. Jesus said that it is extremely important to use our prudence to make peace with our powerful enemies on our way to the court. Otherwise “they will hand you over to the judge who will hand you over to over to the police and you will be punished’ Mt.5.25. Jesus teaches us to forgive and repair the damages to be justified before God and men. We are empowered to use Prudence and I think we shouldn’t hesitate to use God’s gift of prudence. The command of Jesus and good common sense coupled with prudence tell us “So if you are about to offer the gifts to Altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift in front of the altar, go at once to your brother and then come back and offer your gift to God” Mt.5.24. Attitude change is important in conversion. Anger is helpful but we should never allow the sun to set on our anger “But now I tell you: whoever is angry with his brother will be brought to trial”. Mt. 5.21. We might state our reasons to use abusive languages to address people but we have no right to judge or to use abusive language to qualify other people. Je! sus made that explicit “whoever calls his brother or sister ‘you good for nothing’ will be brought before the Council, and whoever calls his brother a worthless fool will be in danger of going to the fire of hell” Mt. 5.22. It is prudent not to use abusive language at others, which might prompt them to react and commit sin for which we are held responsible. Situations might make a person a sinner and those who willfully create such situations will be punished severely. Jesus has said that scandalous situations are bound to happen but about the people causing scandal Jesus had srtrong statement“It would be better for him if a large milestone were tied around his neck and be thrown down into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin” Luke.17.2. Jesus is asking us to be watchful every moment of our lives so we will not perish. “So watch out what you do” Luke 17.3. We may not take other’s lives for granted. They are precious for God! . We re not to offer sacrifices to the odols baal such as selfishness, arrogance, uncontrolled anger, ignorance, unfaithfulness to God and to our commitment in life. We are worthy and dignified creation, the beautiful Handy-work of God. We are touched and molded by the sacred hands of God. God Bless you Fr. Thomas Mathew/June 13/2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com. **************************************************************** This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to this mailing list, visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet For automatic help, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In case of any issue related to the mailing list contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] ****************************************************************
