HUNGRY AND READY FOR GOD’S WORD
There
is an intriguing connection between our readings today. It’s a
contrast, first of all. The First Reading from the prophet Amos mentions
a famine, whereas the Gospel includes a scene at a festive table hosted
by the tax collector Matthew after Jesus had called him.
Secondly, there is also an interplay between the same two readings. The
prophet Amos prophesies a famine “for hearing the word of the Lord.”
The verses are very ominous: “Then they shall wander from sea to sea,
and rove from the north to the east in search of the word of the Lord,
but they shall not find it.” Whereas in the Gospel passage, we hear
Jesus offering a Scripture verse to the self-righteous Pharisees who
were complaining against Him, even ordering them to “go and learn the
meaning” of these words: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.”
Between these two readings is the Responsorial Psalm, with its familiar
verse: “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes
from the mouth of God.” It’s true. We might be famished and go hungry
for the Word of God, especially when we drift away from Him through
apathy, laziness and negligence, but it is consoling to know that the
Lord runs after us, offering us precisely His life-giving Word that will
satisfy our hunger and thirst.
In fact, God chases us most especially when we go astray through our
faults and failures, through our misdeeds and misdemeanors. Matthew, the
tax collector turned Apostle, gives us hope. He is our exemplar. Jesus
called him to conversion, and he readily responded.
For all we know, Matthew had hungered for God’s call ever since. He
didn’t even need to wander from sea to sea. God Himself found him and
called him, “Follow me.” Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB
REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you hungry for God’s Word? Go to Him who can satisfy all your hunger and thirst.
Lord
Jesus, thank You for giving us Your Word every day. May we always rely
on Your Word to guide our days and satisfy our inner yearnings.
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