2 July, Sunday — We have died with Christ

13^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

2 Kgs 4:8-11,13-16
Rm 6:3-4,8-11
Mt 10:37-42

“…and those who welcome me welcome the one who sent me.”

An Exorcist Tells His Story — I am now reading this book breathlessly. At the end of my reflection, you will know why.

For many years during Sunday mass, I often wondered what was the link between the three readings. Now I know, thanks to the Bible Adventure course. This programme is run by the BAT team and has helped my faith greatly.  The first reading (usually from the Old Testament) is co-ordinated thematically with that day’s gospel, while the second reading is generally independent.

Today is one of the exceptions. The first two readings are beautifully linked. There is a physical death and resurrection together with a spiritual one. In 2 Kings 4, the prophet Elisha first blessed a Shunanmite couple with a son and after a few years, resurrected him to life after he died from a short illness. The Shunanmite mother was overjoyed and immensely grateful. She experienced new life again after the pangs of death.

Romans 6 echoes this theme of death and rebirth into new life, albeit spiritually. In fact, this is a popular funeral reading. Paul’s passage on death with Christ is a metaphor for baptism. Once baptised, we die to sin but can rise to newness of life. Free from our sinful body, we are no longer a slave to sin. This passage reminds us that even though we will have a physical death, Christ’s passion, death and resurrection has conquered death. It is our Christian hope that we will follow. 

Finally, the Gospel reminds us to choose wisely. There is no middle ground. Whoever finds their life will lose it and whoever loses their life for Jesus’ sake will find it. So, struggle on the path to eternal life with Jesus.

Recently, I watched the Pope’s Exorcist, starring Russell Crowe, in the role of real life chief Vatican Exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth. He founded the international Association of Exorcists in 1990 and has personally performed several thousand exorcisms. In the movie, he said that he wrote many books and they are good. So I bought the one “An Exorcist Tells His Story”. Is it a good book? Actually it is fascinating and troubling. His simple message is scary. Satan is most happy when the world does not believe he exists. He knows that Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection has conquered death for us, but it does not mean all men are saved. Satan will distract us from choosing God by claiming for himself the adoration due to God, and by mimicking Christian institutions. As long as mankind worships himself by satisfying his own pleasures, Satan has succeeded.

Brothers and sisters, follow the gospel today. Choose God. 

(Today’s OXYGEN by Andrew Sia)

Prayer: Lord, help me to truly believe that Satan exists and grant me the strength to fight evil.

Thanksgiving: You have given us eternal life. Thanks be to you for our faith. Help me bring this message to as many people as possible.