OTHER WORLDLY

“They are not like other people; they have strange ways.” – Wisdom 2:15

       He’s such a traditionalist he thinks what my children and I do for a living are strange — an online writer, a 3D animator, and a preschool teacher. In his world, only engineers, pilots, doctors, lawyers and other typical career people can succeed.

       He also said, “When I read your blog, I don’t understand a thing. It’s like writing from the Holy Land.” I wondered if I ever sleep-wrote in Aramaic and emailed him by mistake. I like writing about my faith. He only likes to hear about worldly matters. He must think I came to my parents from another galaxy so we’re really not related.

       I’ve never been able to convince him and his family to come to our prayer meetings. The “Praise the Lords,” the “Alleluias” and the raised hands are probably too peculiar for them.

       There might be people — those you hardly know or, sadly, even those close to you — who think that following God’s call for your life and expressing your love for Him is weird. Don’t let them discourage you because the most important opinion is from the One who created you. Lella M. Santiago (mirellasantiago@yahoo.com)

Reflection: Are you brave enough to express your faith even if other people will think you’re strange?

Help me, Jesus, to be bold for You and to keep on trying to get other people to know You even if I get laughed at or persecuted.

St. Isidore of Seville, bishop and doctor of the Church, pray for us.

This text from the Book of Wisdom has an inherently psychological insight into the reactions of people to those who are good and, thus, challenges the sinful aspects of our lives. We have probably called someone a “goody two shoes” when their constant good works annoyed us. Is this really the reason why we call them that? I think the text from the Book of Wisdom suggests that it also might be frustration in our own inability to do what they have done.

1 The wicked said among themselves, thinking not aright: 12 “Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training. 13 He professes to have knowledge of God and styles himself a child of the Lord. 14 To us he is the censure of our thoughts; merely to see him is a hardship for us, 15 because his life is not like that of others, and different are his ways. 16 He judges us debased; he holds aloof from our paths as from things impure. He calls blest the destiny of the just and boasts that God is his Father. 17 Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him. 18 For if the just one be the son of God, he will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes. 19 With revilement and torture let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. 20 Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him.” 21 These were their thoughts, but they erred; for their wickedness blinded them, 22 and they knew not the hidden counsels of God; neither did they count on a recompense of holiness nor discern the innocent souls’ reward.

R: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

17 The Lord confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth. 18 When the just cry out, the Lord hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. (R) 19 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. 20 Many are the troubles of the just man, but out of them all the Lord delivers him; (R) 21 He watches over all his bones; not one of them shall be broken. 23 The Lord redeems the lives of his servants; no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him. (R)

Jesus knew that He had a mission to perform and He was not going to jeopardize it by being reckless. He was also unafraid to face whatever obedience to His Father’s will might bring. Only Jesus can help us focus on His will for our life so that we can make a contribution in proclaiming the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

1 Jesus moved about within Galilee; but he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. 2 But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near. 10 But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret. 25 Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, “Is he not the one they are trying to kill? 26 And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ? 27 But we know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.” 28 So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. 29 I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.” 30 So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come.

think:  Only Jesus can help us focus on His will for our life so that we can make a contribution in proclaiming the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

HUMAN LIFE IS INTERACTIVE

Deep thinkers through the ages have different interpretations about the unfolding of events. The determinists among them say, “Things happen as they have been predestined by the Eternal Force... and humans can do nothing to stop these.” The great humanists would say, “Everything depends on man’s willingness and man’s efforts... so virtue lies in the exercise of man’s superior faculties.” Pessimists would say, “Well, all is fate! What will be, will be.” Jesus’ behavior and attitude in today’s Gospel underscore two things.

       First, there is a need for the human person to exercise care, prudence and discernment. Jesus Himself evaluated the circumstances around Him and was careful about going up to Jerusalem for He knew there were threats to His life. Secondly though, the heavenly Father also has effective control of things. He has not left the world to be at the mercy of accidents and limited humanity. He remains effective. Hence, the Gospel speaks about “the hour.” Everything happens as God knows, allows, permits and tolerates. All these happen also because of His mercy and His generosity.

       Christlike living should then be more of a dance. We dance with God. We make our own careful and intelligent steps, yet we also know that God has His own pace and movements. The younger generation has a term for this reality of human life: interactive. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How at home are you with an “interactive” lifestyle? Or are you more at home with exercising initiative and command? Or more of the receiver-follower? How can you be more “interactive” at home, in your workplace, in your relationships?

Dearest Lord, help me to live my life as a dance with You. May my steps be attuned with Yours.