06-22-2012, 09:56 AM
Scripture Reflections
Friday, 22 June, 2012, 11th Week, Ordinary Time
OVERCOMING FEAR THROUGH FAITH IN GOD’S FIDELITY TO US
SCRIPTURE READINGS: 2 K 11:1-4. 9-18. 20; MT 6:19-23
The temptation to pursue material wealth and personal glory has always dogged human beings. Related to the desire to accumulate more wealth and power is the sin of hoarding. But why are we obsessed with acquiring more of this earth’s possessions? Underlying this is the fear of death. We are afraid that we might not have sufficient food or goods to give us a decent life. Of course for some it is more than just a case of acquiring life’s basic needs; it is the desire for pleasure and luxury as well. In this case, they are afraid that their bodies will be deprived of the comforts of life.
In today’s gospel, Jesus reminds us of the illusion of finding security in material or earthly possessions. Such things are unpredictable and do not last. Indeed, Jesus warns us, “Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and woodworms destroy them and thieves can break in and steal.” Yes, power, status and money do not last and in themselves cannot make us happy or secure. On the contrary, the more we have, the more insecure and fearful we become. This is the irony of being rich and powerful. Such people have no real freedom. They spend their whole lives working to preserve their wealth and power, always fearful and suspicious of others seeking to take over their possessions. Yes, they have no friends, no freedom and no peace of mind.
When our hearts are focused on such mundane and worldly things, we turn our eyes away from God and the things that really matter to us, such as love, relationships, rest, contentment, service and meaningful activities. Such are the things of the heart that Jesus spoke about in today’s gospel; matters that pertain to the deepest needs of man. For at the end of the day, love is what makes us truly secure, not things.
What is more tragic is that when we focus on the passing things of life, we become blind to the right principles of life because of greed, fear, jealousy and anger. As Jesus said, “‘the lamp of the body is the eye. It follows that if your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light. But if your eye is diseased, your whole body will be all darkness. If then, the light inside you is darkness, what darkness that will be!’” One sin will lead to other sins. It never stops at one. When we are absorbed in ourselves, we become hard hearted and indifferent to the feelings and needs of others. We are blind to the other related sins of fear and greed.
This was the case of Athaliah. She was filled with fear of her future and seized the throne. But the more fearful she became, the more enemies she created. She was obsessed with power and forgot that family relationships and love are more important than power and status. She turned against everyone. From fear it became greed, and she became violent and evil eventually consumed her. The words of Jesus are so true; we are consumed by what we desire. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart also.”
As a result, we never really live in love or in freedom. We live unfulfilled lives. Although we may have everything, in reality, we have nothing when there is no love in our lives. Without love or freedom, we can never find ourselves because to be created in the image and likeness of God is to be free like Him, free to love and free for love.
How then can we overcome fear in our lives? We are called to place our faith in the fidelity of God’s love. This is shown in the first reading when we read how God was faithful to King David by preserving his dynasty. God sent good and loyal people like Jehosheba, daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah who “secretly took away Joash, her brother’s son, from among the sons of the king who were being murdered”; and the high priest, Jehoiada who together with the commanders of hundreds of the Carians came together to restore the throne to the rightful heir, King Joash.
The responsorial psalm sings of the fidelity of God to His servant David: “The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling. The Lord swore to David a firm promise from which he will not withdraw: ‘Your own offspring I will set upon your throne.’ In her will I make a horn to sprout forth for David; I will place a lamp for my anointed. His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon him my crown shall shine.”
Yes, we are called to place our trust in God. But how can we surrender ourselves to the Lord? We can begin by cultivating a relationship with Him in prayer. Unless we know Him personally in prayer, how can we ever trust Him whom we do not know? By contemplating on the face of Christ especially in the scriptures, we will also acquire the Spirit of Jesus to surrender our lives to His heavenly Father, trusting in His Divine providence. Secondly, we must cultivate gradual detachment to things. Enlightened by grace and divine wisdom, we will come to realize the illusoriness of things. True freedom and joy comes not from having more but when we need less and less to be happy. Thirdly, let us take the gospel life seriously, especially the beatitudes, the blueprint of a blessed life. As we live the life of the Blessed, we will find that the deepest joy and meaning of life is one that is lived totally from God, for God, in Him and for His people.
Once we know that God is trustworthy, we can give our hearts to Him. He will become the most important treasure in our lives. Everything we do will revolve around Him. He will become the guide and the goal of our lives. “It follows that if your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light.” With God, we can see things with wisdom and understanding. We will come to know the things that really matter in life and understand the truth of our faith and the teachings of the Church and gospel. Living in love and in truth, we will find true freedom and joy because we live an enlightened life and a life of compassion.
Friday, 22 June, 2012, 11th Week, Ordinary Time
OVERCOMING FEAR THROUGH FAITH IN GOD’S FIDELITY TO US
SCRIPTURE READINGS: 2 K 11:1-4. 9-18. 20; MT 6:19-23
The temptation to pursue material wealth and personal glory has always dogged human beings. Related to the desire to accumulate more wealth and power is the sin of hoarding. But why are we obsessed with acquiring more of this earth’s possessions? Underlying this is the fear of death. We are afraid that we might not have sufficient food or goods to give us a decent life. Of course for some it is more than just a case of acquiring life’s basic needs; it is the desire for pleasure and luxury as well. In this case, they are afraid that their bodies will be deprived of the comforts of life.
In today’s gospel, Jesus reminds us of the illusion of finding security in material or earthly possessions. Such things are unpredictable and do not last. Indeed, Jesus warns us, “Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and woodworms destroy them and thieves can break in and steal.” Yes, power, status and money do not last and in themselves cannot make us happy or secure. On the contrary, the more we have, the more insecure and fearful we become. This is the irony of being rich and powerful. Such people have no real freedom. They spend their whole lives working to preserve their wealth and power, always fearful and suspicious of others seeking to take over their possessions. Yes, they have no friends, no freedom and no peace of mind.
When our hearts are focused on such mundane and worldly things, we turn our eyes away from God and the things that really matter to us, such as love, relationships, rest, contentment, service and meaningful activities. Such are the things of the heart that Jesus spoke about in today’s gospel; matters that pertain to the deepest needs of man. For at the end of the day, love is what makes us truly secure, not things.
What is more tragic is that when we focus on the passing things of life, we become blind to the right principles of life because of greed, fear, jealousy and anger. As Jesus said, “‘the lamp of the body is the eye. It follows that if your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light. But if your eye is diseased, your whole body will be all darkness. If then, the light inside you is darkness, what darkness that will be!’” One sin will lead to other sins. It never stops at one. When we are absorbed in ourselves, we become hard hearted and indifferent to the feelings and needs of others. We are blind to the other related sins of fear and greed.
This was the case of Athaliah. She was filled with fear of her future and seized the throne. But the more fearful she became, the more enemies she created. She was obsessed with power and forgot that family relationships and love are more important than power and status. She turned against everyone. From fear it became greed, and she became violent and evil eventually consumed her. The words of Jesus are so true; we are consumed by what we desire. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart also.”
As a result, we never really live in love or in freedom. We live unfulfilled lives. Although we may have everything, in reality, we have nothing when there is no love in our lives. Without love or freedom, we can never find ourselves because to be created in the image and likeness of God is to be free like Him, free to love and free for love.
How then can we overcome fear in our lives? We are called to place our faith in the fidelity of God’s love. This is shown in the first reading when we read how God was faithful to King David by preserving his dynasty. God sent good and loyal people like Jehosheba, daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah who “secretly took away Joash, her brother’s son, from among the sons of the king who were being murdered”; and the high priest, Jehoiada who together with the commanders of hundreds of the Carians came together to restore the throne to the rightful heir, King Joash.
The responsorial psalm sings of the fidelity of God to His servant David: “The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling. The Lord swore to David a firm promise from which he will not withdraw: ‘Your own offspring I will set upon your throne.’ In her will I make a horn to sprout forth for David; I will place a lamp for my anointed. His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon him my crown shall shine.”
Yes, we are called to place our trust in God. But how can we surrender ourselves to the Lord? We can begin by cultivating a relationship with Him in prayer. Unless we know Him personally in prayer, how can we ever trust Him whom we do not know? By contemplating on the face of Christ especially in the scriptures, we will also acquire the Spirit of Jesus to surrender our lives to His heavenly Father, trusting in His Divine providence. Secondly, we must cultivate gradual detachment to things. Enlightened by grace and divine wisdom, we will come to realize the illusoriness of things. True freedom and joy comes not from having more but when we need less and less to be happy. Thirdly, let us take the gospel life seriously, especially the beatitudes, the blueprint of a blessed life. As we live the life of the Blessed, we will find that the deepest joy and meaning of life is one that is lived totally from God, for God, in Him and for His people.
Once we know that God is trustworthy, we can give our hearts to Him. He will become the most important treasure in our lives. Everything we do will revolve around Him. He will become the guide and the goal of our lives. “It follows that if your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light.” With God, we can see things with wisdom and understanding. We will come to know the things that really matter in life and understand the truth of our faith and the teachings of the Church and gospel. Living in love and in truth, we will find true freedom and joy because we live an enlightened life and a life of compassion.