Tuesday, July 21, 2015

16th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 21-07-15

Exodus 14:21 - 15:1 / Matthew 12:46-50

In life, there will always be changes. Change is inevitable. There is even a philosophical saying: You can never step into the same river twice (Heraclitus)

Although for most of the time, change is usually for the better, yet it cannot be denied that not all change is for the good. In other words, changes can bring about negative effects and undesirable results.

In the 1st reading, we heard the great saving act that God did for the Israelites – the miraculous parting of the sea that saved the Israelites but doomed the Egyptians.

But the fact is that much earlier, God had sent the 10 plagues against Egypt. Yet it changed Pharaoh’s heart for the worse – it hardened his heart.

And with that, his army met its fate in the depths of the sea; whereas Israel in witnessing the great act that the Lord had performed against the Egyptians venerated the Lord and put their faith in the Lord.

In the gospel, we hear Jesus asking this very astonishing question – Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?

Is Jesus changing His family origins and identity? Is He cutting off family ties and family relationships?

Of course not! But He is stating the one necessary criterion that is necessary if we are to belong to His family – the change of heart in order to do the will of His Father.

It is a change for the better, if fact for our good, so that we can truly say we belong to Jesus. It is a change that will also save us.