This morning's session at the Ordinary Synod on the Family began with the chanting of the liturgical Office of Terce (Mid-morning Prayer) at 9:00am local time.
During the liturgy, a short reflection was shared by His Excellency, Ioannis Spiteris, OFM, Cap., Archbishop of Corfù, Zante and Cefalonia (Greece).
Samuel exclaimed: Does the Lord delight in holocausts and sacrifices as much as in obedience to the voice of the Lord? Obedience is better than sacrifice, to be docile rather than to offer the fat of lambs (1 Sam 15:22).
The text of this brief reading is part of the history of King Saul, accused by the Prophet Samuel of not having strictly obeyed the law which called for sacrifices to be offered to God in their entirety. Samuel is the man of God who interprets His will for King Saul. The will of the Lord, however, Saul has not fulfilled. Not only that, but despite the warnings Samuel gave, he puts forth his excuses, seeking to shift the blame to his soldiers. It was not the others, but he himself who was attached to his possessions, he alone had not obeyed the Lord.
We also see in this text, the accusation of wanting to make up for the lack of faith and obedience to the word of God with sacrifices, external expressions of devotion to the Lord. Basically, such a practice reflected the condemnation of having preferred covenants which were far from the true faith.
The sacred writer, places two attitudes before the man who wishes to please God; he does not invite him to choose between sacrifice and mercy (to be docile), but he helps him to understand that God appreciates one thing more than another, that is to say that His eyes do not look upon outward appearance, but they look at the heart. This is where Samuel's proclamation to Saul is aimed, like a strong light. He takes note of the fact that offerings and sacrifices do not have the same value as listening to the voice of the Lord. Behold, it is better to obey than to offer sacrifice, to be docile to God is what truly matters.
Throughout the history of the Church, along the well-trodden path of the saints, this affirmation has shed and continues to shed light. No, holiness (communion with God who is Love which is expressed in our commitment to live well with love and due human and Christian commitment) does not consist in the first place in sacrifice, in external arid religious practice, but in loving obedience to God, putting into practice his commandment par excellence to love one another. It may indeed be a fatal deception to want at all costs to impose exorbitant sacrifices, not just in order to create a more peaceful and good life for themselves and others, but a matter of how to look good, more holy in the eyes of others and - like the Pharisee in the parable - to brag about our own merits and to despise another who is considered a publican, a sinner. Pharisaism (the attitude that was prevalent during the time of Jesus) is always ready to reappear in situations where there is not enough listening to the Word so that it can be welcomed with joy and put into practice.
May each of us - instead of sacrificing within ourselves in order to listen to the many voices that urge us to find salvation in our good works and silencing the voice of the Lord who invites us into loving communion with him - be better able to rely on Him to fulfill his promise that he can and will constantly open his arms to welcome us.
During the liturgy, a short reflection was shared by His Excellency, Ioannis Spiteris, OFM, Cap., Archbishop of Corfù, Zante and Cefalonia (Greece).
Homily prepared by Archbishop Ioannis Spiteris, OFM Cap.
shared with Synod Fathers during the liturgical hour of Terce
Samuel exclaimed: Does the Lord delight in holocausts and sacrifices as much as in obedience to the voice of the Lord? Obedience is better than sacrifice, to be docile rather than to offer the fat of lambs (1 Sam 15:22).
The text of this brief reading is part of the history of King Saul, accused by the Prophet Samuel of not having strictly obeyed the law which called for sacrifices to be offered to God in their entirety. Samuel is the man of God who interprets His will for King Saul. The will of the Lord, however, Saul has not fulfilled. Not only that, but despite the warnings Samuel gave, he puts forth his excuses, seeking to shift the blame to his soldiers. It was not the others, but he himself who was attached to his possessions, he alone had not obeyed the Lord.
We also see in this text, the accusation of wanting to make up for the lack of faith and obedience to the word of God with sacrifices, external expressions of devotion to the Lord. Basically, such a practice reflected the condemnation of having preferred covenants which were far from the true faith.
The sacred writer, places two attitudes before the man who wishes to please God; he does not invite him to choose between sacrifice and mercy (to be docile), but he helps him to understand that God appreciates one thing more than another, that is to say that His eyes do not look upon outward appearance, but they look at the heart. This is where Samuel's proclamation to Saul is aimed, like a strong light. He takes note of the fact that offerings and sacrifices do not have the same value as listening to the voice of the Lord. Behold, it is better to obey than to offer sacrifice, to be docile to God is what truly matters.
Throughout the history of the Church, along the well-trodden path of the saints, this affirmation has shed and continues to shed light. No, holiness (communion with God who is Love which is expressed in our commitment to live well with love and due human and Christian commitment) does not consist in the first place in sacrifice, in external arid religious practice, but in loving obedience to God, putting into practice his commandment par excellence to love one another. It may indeed be a fatal deception to want at all costs to impose exorbitant sacrifices, not just in order to create a more peaceful and good life for themselves and others, but a matter of how to look good, more holy in the eyes of others and - like the Pharisee in the parable - to brag about our own merits and to despise another who is considered a publican, a sinner. Pharisaism (the attitude that was prevalent during the time of Jesus) is always ready to reappear in situations where there is not enough listening to the Word so that it can be welcomed with joy and put into practice.
May each of us - instead of sacrificing within ourselves in order to listen to the many voices that urge us to find salvation in our good works and silencing the voice of the Lord who invites us into loving communion with him - be better able to rely on Him to fulfill his promise that he can and will constantly open his arms to welcome us.
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