07-30-2012, 09:55 AM
Scripture Reflections
Monday, 30 July, 2012, 17th Week, Ordinary Time
BEING ROOTED IN CHRIST FOR OUR MISSION
SCRIPTURE READINGS: JER 13:1-11; MT 13:31-35
Today’s scripture readings call to mind our Christian ministry. As members of the royal priesthood, we all have a responsibility to exercise our threefold office of priest, prophet and king through our various callings, be it in the secular world or as lay ministers and collaborators in the Church. Just as the tree benefits the birds and the yeast benefits the flour, so too, we should use our different talents and influence for the service of the Kingdom of God. Like the tree in today’s parable, we are called to be the arbor for those in need of shelter from life’s vicissitudes. Many are hungry, lost and alone in their sufferings and pain. They need us to help them find refuge and strength.
We are called to be a transformative agent in society, like the yeast of today’s gospel. We are called to be a light to the world, leading people to truth and the fullness of life. We are called to bring out the best in this world. But how seriously do we take this mission? How well do we use our positions of influence and authority to make this world a better place for humanity? Where do we draw our strength to exercise our mission if not from Christ alone?
The parables in today’s gospel remind us that the kingdom of God is brought about through the grace of Christ operating in our lives. He is the one that gives grace to the mustard seed to grow into a shrub and then a tree. He is the agent that can transform society. That is why Prophet Jeremiah invites us to examine our relationship with the Lord. If we are not effective in our mission, it is because we are trying to build our ministry without a deep relationship with the Lord. This was what happened in today’s first reading. The Israelites were proud and arrogant. Instead of trusting in God, they trusted in their might and military strength. Yet, Prophet Jeremiah reminds us that we must cling to the Lord like a loin-cloth or a waist-belt. Unless we cling to the Lord, who wants to be close to us, like a belt which we wear to hold up our trousers, we cannot withstand the struggles and difficulties facing our ministry.
The loincloth too is a symbol of our dignity for when we were baptized we were clothed with the white garment symbolizing our dignity as sons and daughters of God. Without the baptismal garment, we were nobodies. Hence, we must ask ourselves whether we are conscious of the dignity of our calling. If we do, then we must ask ourselves whether we have kept our loincloth somewhere and letting it rot. In other words, what is our relationship with the Lord? Is that relationship rotting or being strengthened? Have we deepened our love for the Lord? Have we become more Christ-like over the years since we had been baptized?
One good gauge of whether we love the Lord is to analyze our time management. We say we love God. How much time do we spend with Him consciously in relationship and in proper time? If we find our time mostly devoted to other things, then that large portion of time indicates where our treasure and heart really is. Another way of course is to examine our relationship with others. Have we grown in love, compassion, patience and generosity? True faith in Christ must be expressed in charity for our neighbours.
If we find ourselves still far from living a life of Christian perfection, we must not be discouraged, especially if we find ourselves still very attached to the things of this world. Rather, we must also be humble enough to accept our inadequacy and limitations in love. Loving ourselves for who we are just as the Lord loves us in our sinfulness is a necessary predisposition to grow in the love of God and others. If we cannot love ourselves, we will not be able to love God and ourselves in them. Like the mustard seed and the yeast, it tells us that a small beginning will make a big ending, so long as we cooperate with the grace of God. Indeed, God’s kingdom starts from the smallest beginnings in the hearts of those who are receptive to His word. And it works unseen in us and causes a transformation from within. Yes, if we yield ourselves to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, God will give us the strength to live up to our calling.
But we must begin to take our spiritual life seriously. We must make our resolution to begin now. We can no longer wait, certainly not until when we are on our deathbed. It will be too late by then to find ourselves ready to accept Christ and His judgment. Of course holiness is dependent on the grace of God ultimately. But we must cooperate with His grace by striving and working hard for the building of God’s kingdom, beginning with our own personal lives.
Indeed, for those of us in ministry or in positions of influence and authority, we can cause great misery to those under our care if we fail or misuse the gifts and talents God has given to us to help build up the kingdom. Our mediocrity will make us lose our vision and enthusiasm. Indeed, the responsorial psalm warns us not to forget the God who fathered us because if we ignore the Lord, He will hide His face from us. When that happens, we will destroy ourselves. If our spiritual, intellectual and community life is not strengthened now, we will not be able to do great things for the Lord. We need to grow in holiness and intimacy with the Lord. Let us cooperate with the grace of God if not for our sakes, at least for those whom we have been given the responsibility to serve. Losing our peace and salvation is awful, but to be responsible for causing those entrusted our care to lose their salvation is an even greater sin.
Written by Rev. Fr. William Goh
Monday, 30 July, 2012, 17th Week, Ordinary Time
BEING ROOTED IN CHRIST FOR OUR MISSION
SCRIPTURE READINGS: JER 13:1-11; MT 13:31-35
Today’s scripture readings call to mind our Christian ministry. As members of the royal priesthood, we all have a responsibility to exercise our threefold office of priest, prophet and king through our various callings, be it in the secular world or as lay ministers and collaborators in the Church. Just as the tree benefits the birds and the yeast benefits the flour, so too, we should use our different talents and influence for the service of the Kingdom of God. Like the tree in today’s parable, we are called to be the arbor for those in need of shelter from life’s vicissitudes. Many are hungry, lost and alone in their sufferings and pain. They need us to help them find refuge and strength.
We are called to be a transformative agent in society, like the yeast of today’s gospel. We are called to be a light to the world, leading people to truth and the fullness of life. We are called to bring out the best in this world. But how seriously do we take this mission? How well do we use our positions of influence and authority to make this world a better place for humanity? Where do we draw our strength to exercise our mission if not from Christ alone?
The parables in today’s gospel remind us that the kingdom of God is brought about through the grace of Christ operating in our lives. He is the one that gives grace to the mustard seed to grow into a shrub and then a tree. He is the agent that can transform society. That is why Prophet Jeremiah invites us to examine our relationship with the Lord. If we are not effective in our mission, it is because we are trying to build our ministry without a deep relationship with the Lord. This was what happened in today’s first reading. The Israelites were proud and arrogant. Instead of trusting in God, they trusted in their might and military strength. Yet, Prophet Jeremiah reminds us that we must cling to the Lord like a loin-cloth or a waist-belt. Unless we cling to the Lord, who wants to be close to us, like a belt which we wear to hold up our trousers, we cannot withstand the struggles and difficulties facing our ministry.
The loincloth too is a symbol of our dignity for when we were baptized we were clothed with the white garment symbolizing our dignity as sons and daughters of God. Without the baptismal garment, we were nobodies. Hence, we must ask ourselves whether we are conscious of the dignity of our calling. If we do, then we must ask ourselves whether we have kept our loincloth somewhere and letting it rot. In other words, what is our relationship with the Lord? Is that relationship rotting or being strengthened? Have we deepened our love for the Lord? Have we become more Christ-like over the years since we had been baptized?
One good gauge of whether we love the Lord is to analyze our time management. We say we love God. How much time do we spend with Him consciously in relationship and in proper time? If we find our time mostly devoted to other things, then that large portion of time indicates where our treasure and heart really is. Another way of course is to examine our relationship with others. Have we grown in love, compassion, patience and generosity? True faith in Christ must be expressed in charity for our neighbours.
If we find ourselves still far from living a life of Christian perfection, we must not be discouraged, especially if we find ourselves still very attached to the things of this world. Rather, we must also be humble enough to accept our inadequacy and limitations in love. Loving ourselves for who we are just as the Lord loves us in our sinfulness is a necessary predisposition to grow in the love of God and others. If we cannot love ourselves, we will not be able to love God and ourselves in them. Like the mustard seed and the yeast, it tells us that a small beginning will make a big ending, so long as we cooperate with the grace of God. Indeed, God’s kingdom starts from the smallest beginnings in the hearts of those who are receptive to His word. And it works unseen in us and causes a transformation from within. Yes, if we yield ourselves to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, God will give us the strength to live up to our calling.
But we must begin to take our spiritual life seriously. We must make our resolution to begin now. We can no longer wait, certainly not until when we are on our deathbed. It will be too late by then to find ourselves ready to accept Christ and His judgment. Of course holiness is dependent on the grace of God ultimately. But we must cooperate with His grace by striving and working hard for the building of God’s kingdom, beginning with our own personal lives.
Indeed, for those of us in ministry or in positions of influence and authority, we can cause great misery to those under our care if we fail or misuse the gifts and talents God has given to us to help build up the kingdom. Our mediocrity will make us lose our vision and enthusiasm. Indeed, the responsorial psalm warns us not to forget the God who fathered us because if we ignore the Lord, He will hide His face from us. When that happens, we will destroy ourselves. If our spiritual, intellectual and community life is not strengthened now, we will not be able to do great things for the Lord. We need to grow in holiness and intimacy with the Lord. Let us cooperate with the grace of God if not for our sakes, at least for those whom we have been given the responsibility to serve. Losing our peace and salvation is awful, but to be responsible for causing those entrusted our care to lose their salvation is an even greater sin.
Written by Rev. Fr. William Goh