Tuesday, July 3, 2018
TODAY'S REFLECTION- TUESDAY
St. Thomas, apostle
Ephesians 2:19-22/ Psalm 116:1-2/John 20:24-29
BE PART OF THE FAMILY OF GOD
Beloved, today, Holy Mother Church celebrates the feast of St. Thomas. Thomas means, " Twin". He was an unlearned fisherman. We fondly remember him as " the doubting Thomas". Some references we know about Thomas: He told his fellow disciples, "Let us also go to die with him" (John 11:16). At the last supper, he declared, "Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" (John 14:5). Thomas' honest doubt led him to have more ultimate faith in Jesus. His wounds of disbelief were healed and his faith strengthened. This made him to cry out: "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28). By virtue of his faith, he was martyred by being pierced through with a spear. On the other hand, his absence from his fellow apostles made him to miss Jesus' first appearance. We should not try to miss Christian fellowship. Wherever we find ourselves, we should not miss or exclude ourselves from: common/community programs such as celebrations, funerals, meetings, gatherings, prayers, meals, recreation, etc.
Friends, St. Paul, in our today's first reading, tells us that, we are no longer foreigners or aliens or strangers but full members or fellow citizens of the family of God (Ephesians 2:19). A Christian is a Christian wherever he or she is. We can't wash away our religion, origin, tribe, nationality, etc. No matter what, we are not superhuman or less-human. There are some of us who have the negative attitude or tendency of discrimination, segregation, sectionalism, exclusive tendencies, superiority complex, etc. Before God, we are one family; we are brothers and sisters in Christ. Where from or why the unnecessary divisions? We are all encouraged to use our different backgrounds, gifts, talents, offices, etc, for building the kingdom of God. We should all contribute in various ways possible to build God's family, our family, Church, community, school, business, etc. We need all hands on deck to succeed. For a formidable structure, we should see ourselves as the building materials: cement, sand, stones, nails, zinc, etc. How will a house be like without a foundation or floor or walls or roof, etc? When all the saints, go marching in, I want to be part of them. What about you?
May we see ourselves as a family of God, here on earth in order to live together more perfectly in heaven. BE BLESSED.
Fr. Gaa (0206854323/0240308878)