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Meditation Two Hundred Seventy Five

The Second Week of June 2008 

Allow Him to Circumcise Your Heart

 

 Begin with prayer to the Holy Spirit 

 

Readings: Romans 2:25-29

 

     In the previous reflection, St. Paul challenges the Jews to live a life for God without hypocrisy, and this admonition also applies to the Gentiles, as well. Living our faith, whether in the workplace, at home, or church should be something we do constantly. Consistency within our walk of faith is daily decision. As we look at today’s reflection let us examine further the words of St. Paul as he speaks about circumcision of the heart.

     Verse 25 begins with the word circumcision.   As we look back in Sacred Scripture, Genesis 17 refers to the sign of the covenant God made with Abraham, which is circumcision. Circumcision is the removal of flesh from the foreskin of a male.  This ritual is a sign of a covenant in Judaism. Circumcision leaves a mark on the body. The mark is to identify the people of Israel . In St. Luke's Gospel 2:21 Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day which was a sign of his identification with the people of Israel and his participation in their covenant with God. St. Paul goes on to explain the parallel of the Jew who is circumcised and the Gentile who is not circumcised. He takes into account the Gentile who keeps the precepts of God. St. Paul goes on to challenge the Jews who know the written word and are circumcised but break the law. St. Paul describes, a real Jew, is one who takes into account inward matters of the heart that are spiritual. 

     Circumcision is a physical sign of the covenant of God. What St. Paul expresses is a deeper living reality, and that is faith - a living faith, a true circumcision of the heart that is spiritual. The praise a man or a woman of faith should seek is praise coming from God and not from men. As we spend time alone with God we need Him to circumcise any barriers that may reside within  our hearts that may separate us from Him. our relationship with Him. As we ponder St. Paul 's words we must be mindful of not allowing our relationship with God to be trite, ritualistic by just a matter of going through the motions. When was the last time you spent time before the Blessed Sacrament? Or taken the time out to examine your conscience so that you would be able to give a good confession? Let us not take for granted the sacraments that are at our disposal. Let us go to our prayer closet this week and ask God through the power of the Holy Spirit to show us areas within our hearts that need to be circumcised. May God bless you throughout the week.

 

                                                                                                            

Quotation for Meditation

 

 My Saviour, let me never become mechanical in my religious practices. You gave me so much when You gave me  Your Church. Through Her I can make my daily life ever richer. Give me the wisdom to read and reflect often upon Your wonderful teachings. Grant me a deep interest in Your holy truth, and a supernatural joy in learning more about life's most important treasures. I desire to share Your outlook and  viewpoint in the daily events of my earthly life. 

 

Anthony J. Paone, S.J., My Daily Bread, Brooklyn, N.Y., Confraternity OF The Blood Of Jesus, Pg.243

Quiet Time and Then Discussion

 

Questions for Meditation

 

1. What is circumcision?

 

2. St. Paul draws a parallel between the Jew and the Gentile, is one better than the other? 

 

3. What is circumcision of the heart?

 

Prayer