LET THOSE WHO HAVE WIVES LIVE AS THOUGH THEY HAD NONE…

Jonah 3:1-5,16

1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he cried, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God repented of the evil which he had said he would do to them; and he did not do it. 

Corinthians 7:29-31

29 I mean, brethren, the appointed time has grown very short; from now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the form of this world is passing away. 

Mark 1:14-20

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.” 16 And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed him.

MEDITATION

THE FIRST READING: After Jonas near death ordeal because of his failure to heed the message of God, he now submit himself to the word of God and makes a second attempt to deliver the city of Nineveh. 

The people of Nineveh, young and old are instructed to observe a forty day fast which intends to bring about a transformation of heart and mind ordered to the obedience of God. 

St PAUL responded to the feedback from the Corinthian community concerning the upheavals and waywardness that sought to destroy the structure of the family and community, by instilling measures, disciplines and lifestyle changes that sought to restore harmony and unity of a divided people who have drifted from apostolic  teaching.

Pauls instructive guidance seek to correct disordered  relationships between spouses by abstaining from the conjugal act for a period to rightly temper lustful behavior; abandon our state of grieving by seeking inner peace where tragic events saw the loss of lives or injury; depart from our voracious appetite for worldly pleasures, desires and success by living as though we had nothing. We are called to adopt a new way of living that is rightly ordered to God.

St MARK records that the arrest of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for repentance of the people and baptised our Lord, saw Jesus enacting His mission by calling a group of men to be instructed or coached in the way of God.

We are invited to unreservedly place our trust in the Lord, copying the remarkable humble feature of the twelve who placed their complete trust in Christ Jesus and followed Him without question!

LET US PRAY: Psalms 25:4-9

4 Make me to know thy ways; teach me thy paths. 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation;6 Be mindful of thy mercy, O LORD, and of thy steadfast love. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth, or my transgressions; according to thy steadfast love remember me, for thy goodness’ 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.