Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Ezekiel 9:1-7.10:18-22; Matthew 18:15-20)
The scribe with the stylus makes a “Thau” sign on the
foreheads of faithful Israelites. The “Thau”
is the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet and has the shape of an “x” in the
Canaanite script. It was likely seen as
a simple mark like a check or an “x” that people use today to indicate the presence
of something. In Ezekiel’s vision the “Thau”
distinguishes faithful believers in God from the syncretists of the time who
mix their belief in God with pagan elements.
The paganisms were received from non-Jewish neighbors.
The “Thau” should remind New Testament readers of the seal
of God in the Book of Revelation. The
seal was given to distinguish true “Servants of God” from the heathen masses. The Servants of God are to be spared the impending
slaughter of unrepentant sinners. Church
Fathers equated the “Thau” with Christ’s cross which the minister of Baptism
makes on the foreheads of those about to be baptized.
All of us have been marked with Christ’s cross. The symbol represents the expectation that we
will be faithful to Christ by not mixing our beliefs with pagan elements. It is a daunting challenge today with so many
wondrous goods competing for our allegiance.
We must remember to put Christ first and foremost in our lives and not
give ourselves over to abominations to which the Internet gives us access.
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