HE WAS USELESS…

Philemon 1:7-20 
7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required,9 yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you–I, Paul, an ambassador and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus–10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment.11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.)
12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel;
14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own free will.
15 Perhaps this is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back for ever,16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.
18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.
19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand, I will repay it–to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

Luke 17:20-25 

20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed;21 nor will they say, ‘Lo, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”
22 And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and you will not see it.23 And they will say to you, ‘Lo, there!’ or ‘Lo, here!’ Do not go, do not follow them.24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of man be in his day.25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

MEDITATION

St PAUL writes to Philemon a fellow bishop whom he catechised and ordained, thanking him for allowing Onesimus a runaway “useless slave,” to be his helper during his imprisonment. 

Paul note that Onesimus has become a son to him, implying that he is a full member of the Church to the extent that he will be a useful acolyte to Philemon. Paul is very conscious to not abuse his office as an Apostle and fellow bishop, wherefore he ask Philemon to expulcate and receive Onesimus as a fellow son of God.

THE GOSPEL READING: Inspite of their being in the presence of Christ, listening and even witnessing many miracles, the Pharisees continued to question Christ, seeking just cause to dismiss his supposedly ‘outlandish’ teachings, so they can hand Him over for procecution. 

Our Lord appease His hearers fortelling the event (Lk 23:44-49, Mt 28:2-7) that occured upon His death that liberated all of humanity, who were slaves to sin; ignorant of Gods justice and faithfulness. We are called to runaway from those who have paralyzed our sense to discern between right and wrong and good and evil that made us pawns to sin. Moreover we are called to be useful sons and daughters of Christ, who labor for the salvation of those who are mentally imprisoned by their ignorance. 

LET US PRAY:Psalms 146:7-10 

7 who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free;
8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.
9 The LORD watches over the sojourners, he upholds the widow and the fatherless; but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.10 The LORD will reign for ever, thy God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!

Commentary. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days