Saturday, June 9, 2018
TODAY'S REFLECTION - SATURDAY- THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
2 Timothy 4:1-8/ Psalm 70;8-9,14-17,22/Luke 2:41-51
CATCH THEM YOUNG
Beloved, St. Paul, an old man now, has almost come to the end of his life. He adjures Timothy, a young bishop, who is still beginning his ministry, not to be afraid to preach the word of God (in word and deed). He is to persist in preaching and use the word to convict, rebuke and exhort others. St. Paul is more or less evaluating his own lifestyle. That, his life has already being poured out as a libation. His end is near. He has completed his work well. He has kept the faith till the end. He is waiting for the crown of glory. Can I also evaluate my own life in the same manner? What pieces of advice do I have for the younger ones who are still beginning life? How am I mentoring the younger ones under me? Which aspects of my life should they emulate?
Friends, every Jewish male child at a certain age was expected to go to Jerusalem to attend the yearly feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacle. In our today's Gospel reading, Jesus' parents took him along to Jerusalem, at the age of twelve, for the feast of the Passover. After the feast, Jesus stayed back in the Temple listening and asking questions. When his parents got home and could not find him, they returned immediately, asking and looking for him until he was found. Mary asked, "Why have you treated us like that? Your father and I have been looking for you." Jesus answered, "Don't you know that I must be in my father's house?" He went back home with them and was obedient to them. He grew in wisdom and stature. Which programs do I attend together with my children? What have I introduced my children to at a tender age? Do I pray with them? Do I go to Church, prayer meeting or any spiritual program with them? If I don't find my children at home, where and where will I go and ask of them? Do I know the friends my children are following? Do I know the likes and dislikes of my children? Who are those always early/late at home or outside: the children or parents? Am I a parent who will come home and check my animals and other properties and will not check whether all my children are at home?
For the children, when we err or misbehave and our parents are correcting us constructively, do we listen? When we are moving out, do we tell our parents? Don't we dodge to other places and tell lies that we have gone for a religious program? Do we introduce our friends to our parents? Do we get closer to our parents? My Father/Mother, how old are your children? How have they started life? Is there hope for our children, in terms of proper moral, spiritual, social, etc upbringing? The proper upbringing of our younger ones is a shared responsibility. Everyone has a role to play. There should be no shifting of blames. Mary and Joseph took care of Jesus together. Do we have some irresponsible, impossible, unteachable fathers/mothers/children? May the older ones mentor the younger ones properly and may the younger ones have very good listening ears and accept corrections humbly and in good faith. BE BLESSED.
Fr. Gaa (0206854323/0240308878)