Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
(II Corinthians 1:18-22; Matthew 5:13-16)
Jesus’ exhortation in today’s gospel recalls St. John of the
Cross’ warning about memory. The author
of the Dark Night of the Soul recognized how memory of one’s
accomplishments can interfere with God’s taking possession of one’s mind. Although the memories may have an overall
positive effect, the person will not experience the awesome wonder of a divine
encounter.
Jesus likewise warns his disciples of the danger of losing their
virtue. Watching television for hours
can dull a person’s desire to exert her or himself on behalf of others. Lying to make another feel good can
deteriorate one’s regard for the truth.
Jesus is calling his disciple to service of the Kingdom. They will be of no more use than salt which
has become insipid or a lamp whose bulb has burnt out.
Disciples are not backsliders. They keep
growing in virtue so that others may be blessed and God may be praised. We should pray to be better women and men and
then should discipline ourselves so that we might move with the Holy Spirit.
