On the other hand, whoever obeys them, and teaches others to do the same, will be great in the kingdom of heaven.
REFLECTION:
One of the most fascinating things to notice in the encounter between Elijah and the prophets of Baal
is the complexity of the rituals and prayers of the latter in contrast with the simple and heartfelt supplication Elijah made to God.
Similarly, in the Gospel, Jesus calls himself the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.
There is a profound simplicity to the living God and his ways that often escapes us, we who are often enamored with complexity and sophistication.
We often clutter our lives, our minds, our relationships – with others and with God – with what are often unnecessary things
that only serve to cloud our vision and block our path towards the truth. Jesus always had a way of “cutting to the chase”, simplifying what is complex,
clarifying what is unclear and opaque, and rendering accessible what human laws (and yes, sometimes even human religion) makes distant and remote.
Pray for the grace of simplicity, of trust, and of a child-like heart that depends on God for all things.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2020