LISTEN TO THE INSTRUCTION OF GOD TODAY!

Evang./Prof. Michael Howard, MACS

"Hear the word of the LORD, princes of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah! What care I for the number of your sacrifices? says the LORD" (Is. 1:10-17)

Some would echo that our world is reminiscent of Sodom and Gomorrah. Others may say that the prophetic words of Jeremiah may describe our era more distinctly, "Death has come up through our windows, has entered our citadels, To cut down children in the street, young people in the squares" (Jer. 9:20). The Jeremiah quote is timely, especially after witnessing a violent act towards former president Donald Trump. However, regardless of which political party you support or the prophetic words from these great prophets you glean wisdom from, we must "Listen to the instruction of our God."

Therefore, I offer you a few scriptural passages to reflect on in the often-nonstop breaking news of violence that filters our spirit through the news media. Pray these words with me:

1. Pray for the Kingdom of God to come on earth as it is in Heaven. Yesterday, today, and perhaps tomorrow, the news circuit will continue to saturate our minds with trauma, unsightly photos of blood, and tearful eyes of pain. Pray for the Kingdom of God today as we try to be merciful so that others can experience God's mercy, "Yet in your great mercy you did not completely destroy them and did not forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God" (Neh. 9:31).

2. Pray for the Kingdom of God to come on earth as it is in Heaven, where troublesome language does not exist. The writer of Proverbs tells us, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who choose one shall eat its fruit" (Pro. 18:21). In Heaven, the saints and our ancestors entered Heaven by eating the fruit of the Spirit "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Gal. 5:22-23). Which fruit will you eat today?

3. Pray for the Kingdom of God to come on earth through us as we strive to be peacemakers. Peacemakers know that when God's people "... humble themselves and pray, and seek [God's] face and turn from their evil ways, [God] will hear them from Heaven, pardon their sins, and heal their land" (2 Chor. 7:14). God will heal our land when seeing in each other the creative love that God has given to creation to love each other. God's love is experienced to its fullness when we forgive each other.  

In closing, avoid becoming overcome with divisive rhetoric today. Pray for the Kingdom of God to come. Isaiah's final words from today's reading are for us, "Put away your misdeeds from before [God's] eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow" (Is. 10:17).

Thank you for reading and praying through this blog. If you enjoyed the content of this presentation, please press the like button and share it with a friend. Evang./Prof. Howard

Author: Evang./Prof. Michael Howard, MACS

Facilitator, University of Dayton, VLCFF,

University of Notre Dame, McGrath Institute, STEP Online,

Lead Faculty and Course Designer "The Presence of Black Catholics in the Church Today and Tomorrow" Loyola Marymount University,

Founder of Eat the Scroll Ministry