I was suddenly reminded of this friend whom I haven’t seen and talked to for a long time. Every time we have a chance to get together we always engage in a lengthy conversation and really enjoy our exchange of ideas. I should say we bond in a special way and agree in a lot of things. I noticed that we both have similar likes when it comes to the type of clothes to wear, the food to eat and the simple and healthy life we both prefer to live. Although there are some personal areas in her life that we haven’t talked about and which I haven’t dared to ask, I have this feeling that if we are to go deeper into our friendship , I would have to inevitably face the challenge that Paul in today’s 1st reading is talking about. I was able to say this because it made me realize the fact that it always seems easy to connect and bond with her. It must say that we can really be very good friends despite the fact that we only had a brief encounter when we first met and we hardly see each other. The things that Paul is telling us are things that could totally offend a person when directly told about it. We are living in a world full of deceptions, pretenses and lies. Sometimes we would be better off if we could just keep our thoughts to ourselves most especially the sensitive and very personal issues about a person. If we have a choice then we would rather not be involved and just keep silent about it. Sometimes not even immediate family members, close relatives and friends dare to do it. Although there are times when we simply could no longer ignore the fact that God wants us to speak out and be bold enough to proclaim the truth. But this we can only do if we truly love and care about these people and be able to show them that it is really Christ that is in us and in all that motivates us to do so. Amen. Hallelujah!
Letter to the Colossians 3:1-11.
… Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. 6 Because of these the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient. 7 By these you too once conducted yourselves, when you lived in that way. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths. 9 Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all and in all.
I had this opportunity of being with this lady who is sick and I suddenly had this feeling that I should let her read the book entitled,”Companion in Illness” which I borrowed from Bernadeth. At first I was hesitant because I wasn’t sure if she’s Catholic or if she’s even Christian. But I’m so glad I did since she did not put it down until she read the prayer book from cover to cover and told me that she liked it even though the prayer book is Catholic and she’s Methodist. What really stopped me at first was the fact that people here in the US are not as open to the practice of the religious faith as we Filipinos are. I heard that lately there had been talks about the removal of the words “In God we trust” in US dollar bills. Or worst I have heard that they are no longer promoting the expression of the faith in public schools and even eradicated the reciting of prayers inside the classroom. With all these things coming up that seem to discourage people of the faith to come out in the open and proudly declare and proclaim it, there is no wonder why some would even regard such act as queer, strange or out of this world and the more accepted and normal way of acting is to just play safe and be like the others not wanting to disturb or disrupt the so called accepted norms or standard of the world. If we are deviating from it there is a tendency to be ridiculed by the others or worst make us the laughing stock and even insist their crooked principles on us as if they are the ones that are right and we are simply being over righteous. Some would even persuade us to stray away from what is right convincing us that it wouldn’t hurt if it’s just a little bit and God would surely understand. As if saying that it is just alright if we believe in God during weekdays and don’t during weekends. Or worst believe in His teachings and His commandments but will not commit to following it. There has been some kind of misconception here that has been turned into a very convenient and acceptable excuse for us Christians. Whatever has happened to all of us, is slowly turning our faith into a big stage play wherein we only act it out on stage and become totally different after we come off stage. It is very sad if we fail to recognize what really happened to that story of a frog who ended up dead and cooked in boiling water. We should think of ourselves as that frog placed in a big casserole of water that is slowly heating up. Initially the frog wouldn’t jump out of it since it would feel comfortable to swim in it but it would be too late before it finds out that it will be boiled alive in it and escape would be very difficult. We sometimes have this tendency to become masochist that we choose to hurt ourselves or place ourselves in torturous situation when there is really no need for that. What’s worse, when the situation turns awry and bad that is the only time we remember God but the deadly and boiling hot pool of sin we are in has totally possessed us we can no longer master the strength and courage to come out of it. The inviting and slowly heating big casserole of temptations, lies and deception would eventually turn into a steaming hot and boiling pool of sin where escape is almost impossible and death is imminent. So while we still can we must try to get out of it not later but right now. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalms 145:2-3, 10-11, 12-13
R: The Lord is compassionate toward all his works.
2 Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever. 3 Great is the LORD and highly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. (R) 10 Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD, and let your faithful ones bless you. 11 Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might. (R) 12 Making known to men your might and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages, and your dominion endures through all generations.
Life is never easy most especially if we commit to a life dedicated to follow the example of Jesus Christ. It is always easier said than done but we can always focus on the reward that awaits us just like any victorious battle the champion emerges with the trophy and prize. Today’s gospel challenges us to always dwell on these promises that can never be broken. If a trustworthy and honest person gave his word we are confident that he/she will honor it. All the more should we be confident of God’s word. If God spoke and promised then He will surely grant it. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 6:20-26
20 Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours. 21 Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way. 24 But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25 But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. 26 Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”
No comments:
Post a Comment