TENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)

READINGS AT MASS

Gen. 3:9-15

Psalm 130

2 Cor. 4:13-5:1

Mark 3:20-35

Theme: WHERE ARE YOU?

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO..

Today's first reading records the aftermath of the sin of Adam and Eve. The Lord God called to the man after he had eaten of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. "Where are you?" He asked. This question has nothing to do with God's knowledge of man's whereabouts. The all-knowing God knew exactly where Adam was. Rather, it is a question addressed to the man to help him consider his present state of life. 

The single Hebrew word *'ayeka'* which was translated as *' where are you?'* can also, on a deeper level, mean _'what have you done with your life?_ Or _what has become of you?_ It was as if God was asking the man,' where did you end up after doing what you did (i.e. listening to the serpent)?'

By allowing himself to be seduced by the serpent, the man now found himself out of touch with God. He was no longer where he was supposed to be. The covering of glory around him disappeared, leading him to feel the guilt of shame and nakedness. His actions had taken him to a state and a place that he would rather not be. He lost the harmony within his heart. He was ashamed and disappointed in himself. 

Whenever we allow the ancient serpent (our selfish and inordinate desires) to determine the steps we take in life, we end up in a state that we are not proud of. To recover/revive him, God invites man to reconsider his position with the question, 'WHERE ARE YOU?' 

Beloved, life is often defined by the questions we ask. By asking and trying to answer the difficult questions of life, we give meaning and direction to our existence. In every era, God continues to ask every single person this critical and life-changing question, 'WHERE ARE YOU (IN YOUR WORLD)?' What has become of you after the choices you made in life? It is a question for you to reconsider your current position or state of life. 

Like Adam, each and every one of us, at the turn of every event, need to be asked, 'WHERE ARE YOU?' Are you proud of where you are and what has become of you? The answers we give to this question will create the spiritual agenda for the kind of life we will live in the years to come. 

Even as you prepare for Mass this morning, take a moment to consider your current state of life. Where are you in your relationship with God? 

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, I am ashamed because I have allowed the ancient serpent to seduce me into going astray. I do not like where I am now due to my sins. May your grace recover and restore me. Amen.

May God bless you.

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, June 9, 2024.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.