‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬On Saturday December 16, 2023, Vatican judges sentenced Cardinal Angelo Becciu to five years and six months in prison for embezzlement of Vatican funds. The sentencing came after a trial lasting over two years. In addition to the time to serve in jail, the judges also demanded that the Cardinal and other defendants should compensate the Vatican to the tune of 200 million euros for what they called “reputational damage” to the Vatican. The Cardinal’s lawyers said that they respected the sentence, but they would appeal the decision.

We cannot continue to bring reputational damage to the name of the Lord and at the same time expect answers when we pray. Only those who hallow the name of the Lord in words and conduct can reap the blessing.

The main crux of our meditation today is what the Vatican judges described as “reputational damage”. It seems to be at the centre of God’s verdict to David after his liaison with Bathsheba. David’s move led to the death of an innocent man, and God saw the whole saga as something that His enemies would use to reproach Him. A number of damning judgment followed in the trail of that. God is particularly jealous of His name. As believers, we must avoid things that would bring damage to His name. The first two meditations this month are on prayer. We have the promise that what we ask in His name would be granted. There is a caveat to that. We cannot continue to bring reputational damage to the name of the Lord and at the same time expect answers when we pray. Only those who hallow the name of the Lord in words and conduct can reap the blessing.