GENESIS 18:16-33; PSALM 103; MATTHEW 8:18-22
In the Gospel Jesus invites us to follow him. This invitation is a call to discipleship. As disciples of Jesus Christ let us learn to follow him irrespective of comfort. St Irenaeus of Lyons whose memorial we celebrate today followed Jesus and accepted martyrdom for his sake. To follow Jesus is to be open to discomforts, dissatisfactions and insufficiencies. To follow Jesus is to keep his commandments. In fact, God wants us keep his commandments. He wants us to be truly obedient and faithful. Precisely because of this in the first reading, God promises to spare the city of Gomorrah if there are ten faithful men in the city. Beloved, true followers are doers of God’s word. If we follow Jesus, we shall be saved. If we follow Jesus, surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life and we shall dwell in God’s house forever.
LET US PRAY
O God, who called the Bishop Saint Irenaeus to confirm true doctrine and the peace of the Church, grant, we pray, through his intercession, that, being renewed in faith and charity, we may always be intent on fostering unity and concord. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
