In today's opening prayer, the priest leads us to pray: “Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule…” (Cf. Opening Prayer). This prayer expresses a profound longing deeply engraved in our hearts - a desire for a better world. However, we could sometimes be inclined to think that change will come if only others change their ways. On the contrary, the conversion we desire to see in others must begin from ourselves. This is an important message we glean, especially from the gospel of today.

-         Jesus warns his disciples not to think of themselves better than those whom they consider sinful. He asserts that each one has got something they must work on in order to be a leading example. “Can a blind man lead a blind man?” (Cf. Gospel Reading).

 -         Jesus calls for thorough self-examination: First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye” (Cf. Gospel Reading).

-         It is always good to examine our own words and actions for by doing so, we will discover that we also have a journey of conversion to make. Our words and actions reflect our reasoning and “this is the test of people” (Cf. First Reading).

-         Conversion is a life-long journey that involves everyone for we are all called to reflect the image of God who is Peace. In this regard, the Church teaches: “The vocation of humanity is to show forth the image of God and to be transformed into the image of the Father's only Son. This vocation takes a personal form since each of us is called to enter into the divine beatitude; it also concerns the human community as a whole” (Cf CCC. 1877). 

-         Conversion is a battle, which starts with the self. It is not an impossible battle to win for Christ has already guaranteed our victory over all challenges: “thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Cf. Second Reading). 

-         As we begin our Lenten Journey on Ash Wednesday this week, let us pray for the grace to honestly face our own weaknesses so that we can lead others on the path of virtue.

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

CCC 2563: the heart is the home of truth
CCC 1755-1756: good acts and evil acts
CCC 1783-1794: forming conscience and decision-making
CCC 2690: spiritual direction
CCC 1009-1013: Christian view of death

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The Collect for the eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time speaks directly to universal human desires: “Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule, and that your Church may rejoice, untroubled in her devotion.”

But can we give our “Amen” to this with confident hope? We pray continually for peace, and no peace seems to come: wars do not end, and the Church is troubled within and without, and without cease. How can we persevere in this prayer?

We need to keep several things in mind. Firstly, that our God is a hidden God. We believe the way of the world is subject to his unfailing providence, but we also know its inner meaning is a secret. Secondly, that we should focus on the way of the Lord rather than the way of the world. This is the way to peace, although it is a hard journey; for Christ the cross; for his Saints, a succession of trials. And thirdly, that the peace we pray for is only found fully at the end of the age, when Christ returns to make all things new. This present time receives only a token of what is to come.

This might lead us to look for little, but that would be a mistake. Christ is our peace even here and now, and to the world's end, wherever two or three are gathered in his name, whenever one human heart renounces revenge for reconciliation. Whoever prays with faith and fervour helps fashion this peace, however dark and desperate things outwardly may be.

 Bidding Prayers

Let us pray for the Church of God, that all Christ's faithful people may walk in the way of truth that leads to the fulness of life.

Let us pray for the rulers of this world, that they may hear and heed the Word of the Lord, calling them into paths of peace.

Let us pray for victims of violence and war, that they may know the peace of the Kingdom of Heaven.

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Note: These hymns have been chosen from different sources.

Abide with me (CFE9, L907, LHON97)

Be thou my vision (CFE74, L970, LHON168)

Blest are the pure in heart (CFE88, L908, LHON174, TCH208)

God be in my head (CFE205, L914, LHON283)

Alleluia, sing to Jesus (CFE37, L644, LHON110, TCH112)

Key

CFE - Celebration Hymnal for Everyone

L – Laudate

LHON – Liturgical Hymns Old and New (Mayhew, 1999)

TCH – The Catholic Hymnbook (Gracewing)