TUESDAY OF THE TWELVE WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

1st Reading           2 Kings 19:9-11,14-21,31-36

Psalm                      Ps. 48: 2-3ab.3cd-4.10-11 (R. 9cd)

Gospel      Matthew 7:6.12-14

Hope is a virtue which spurs us on in times of pain and tragedy. This virtue helps us wait patiently for an intervention from where lasting help may come from. The first reading of today focuses still on the political life of Israel with its mutuality with religion. In the Gospel we read one of Jesus' teachings in which he uses dogs and swine to relate the issue of the reception of the Good News.

Assyrians are in the siege of Judah, the southern Kingdom and under their King Sennacherib, they seek to conquer Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. Hezekiah, King of Judah receives a threat from Sennacherib which should naturally instill a certain fear in him, lead to a loss of hope in Jerusalem and finally surrendering to the Assyrians. Jerusalem, a city of peace, is also a city of hope. 

Interestingly, Hezekiah reacted to this threat by praying to God for help instead of gathering his troops to fight. He prayed when he was threatened. This is so pedagogical for us as we think of the many times we face threatening situations which we often tremble at. Scripture teaches us the sort of reaction we ought to offer when we, with or without our doing, find ourselves or even others in the realm of difficulties. We are entreated to always hope and pray. Steadfast faith matters and this is necessary for victory. I believe we have to be weIl disposed in Faith, Hope and Love to merit the redemption of God, although God can redeem without them.

In fact, the 1st reading further narrates the redemption of Judah from the pursuance by the Assyrians after Hezekiah prayed. Eighty-five thousand of Assyrian men at the siege of Judah were killed at night by the angel of the Lord. 

The Gospel serves to draw a relationship between what is given and who receives. As a paradigm, Jesus used dogs and pigs. These are animals considered to be unclean. But the problem lies in who we should consider as a pig or a dog. 

Often Jesus' teachings are shrouded in mystery and set also within the socio-religio-political context of Israel. Equated to a dog or a pig connotes the idea of not being worthy of the reception of that which is precious. 

In the Gospel, Jesus, I believe, wants to tell who could receive a pearl or holy. What is then considered a pearl or a holy item? With Jesus' audience, the apostles, we quickly get the idea that the Gospel, the Good News, is holy and is a treasure. A good disposition, a well-prepared fellow may be considered a worthy person. He receives the pearls and that which is Holy. 

Pax et Bonum.