Monday, July 2, 2018
TODAY'S REFLECTION - MONDAY-13TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Saints Processus and Martinian, martyrs
Amos 2:6-10,13-16/ Psalm 49:16-23/ Matthew 8:18-22
WHY AM I FOLLOWING JESUS?
Beloved, the prophet Amos was from the Southern Kingdom, Judah. He was called and sent to the Northern Kingdom, Israel, to preach repentance to them. Israel at that time was economically rich, affluent, prosperous and well to do. However, corruption, injustice, oppression of the poor and exploitation of others were in the ascendency. Some of us use dubious ways and means in order to get what we want. Why become an economic giant and a moral and spiritual dwarf?
Friends, in our today's Gospel reading, a scribe came up to Jesus and requested to follow him. Jesus' reply was, "the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head." Am I following Jesus because I want to get the highest academic qualification, best security, accommodation, comfort or position?
Jesus himself called another man and his excuse was to go and bury his father first. Jesus said, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their dead." One of the sacred duties of a Jew was to ensure a decent burial for a dead parent. It is indeed fitting to get a decent burial. But these days, how many of us are always still soberly and consciously present during the burial Mass or ceremony of a dear one? Many of us are always busy with food and drink. Others even get drunk before the burial. In these cases do we really ensure a decent burial for our deceased friends and relatives? Jesus doesn't intend to let us neglect, ignore or forget about our sacred duties. But, if we genuinely want to follow Jesus, we should be focused and God shall take care of the rest.
Let us pray for the grace to minimise, if not completely eradicate corruption, injustice, oppression and exploitation. We also pray for the grace to be focused as we follow Jesus. BE BLESSED.
Fr. Gaa (0206854323/0240308878)