Are you so foolish? Having begun with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? – Galatians 3:3

       My cousin was a Christian. But she was also a strong believer in superstitions. When her daughter got sick, she killed several chickens to ward off evil spirits for her child’s healing. Sigh!

       I know of other Christians who trust in the Lord, but also believe in fortune tellers, horoscopes and other occult practices… just in case. A lot of Filipino Catholics observe the superstitions listed in the Cascades’ song, “Angel on My Shoulder” — like tossing coins in a wishing well, saving fortunes that the fortune cookies tell, having a lucky penny. They say it’s “just for fun,” but on the inside they’re hoping against hope. Foolish, isn’t it?

       How about this? My uncle, Toñing, mom’s eldest brother, died on October 9, 1974. Then Tito Netoy, another brother of my mom, died on October 9, 1987. On October 9, 1996, my father died. Should we consider October 9 an unlucky day? My mom inspired me. She never considered it a big deal. She was never superstitious. She was a very practical and prayerful woman. When dad died, I got part of my strength from her as she modeled acceptance and surrender to God’s will. Cristy Galang (cristy_cc@yahoo.com)

Reflection: Do you have superstitious beliefs or practices? Are you willing to challenge them?

Strengthen my trust in You, Lord. I ask for the grace to be totally surrendered to Your will, knowing fully well that it’s the best for me.

Blessed John Henry Newman, pray for us.

The uncomplimentary nature of Paul’s language here indicates the depth of his feeling about this matter. He is furious with the stupidity of the Galatians who are going back to the understanding of salvation as something they can earn through their own efforts. Objectively speaking he is totally correct; however, perhaps he might be better off expressing his displeasure in less stark terms as he has done. Maybe he has tried this and it did not work, and so he has taken his language to the next level.

1 O stupid Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 I want to learn only this from you: did you receive the Spirit from works of the law, or from faith in what you heard? 3 Are you so stupid? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? 4 Did you experience so many things in vain? — if indeed it was in vain. 5 Does, then, the one who supplies the Spirit to you and works mighty deeds among you do so from works of the law or from faith in what you heard?

R: Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people.

69 He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. (R) 70 Through his holy prophets he promised of old: 71 that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. (R) 72 He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. (R)73 This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, 75 holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. (R)

Jesus encourages us to persevere in what we know is right, and hopefully, we will receive what we want in the end. This is one of the constant challenges of a life of faith — persevering in what we know to be true and right. There is no guarantee, because of the nature and prevalence of sin, that others are going to respond in a righteous or holy manner, but this is never an excuse for doing wrong.

Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.

5 Jesus said to his disciples: “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ 7 and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. 9 And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? 12 Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? 13 If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

think:  Let us persevere in doing what we know is right.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Wisdom 5-8

WHAT’S ON YOUR FACEBOOK STATUS?

The world of social networking has redefined relationships to a marked degree. The word “friend” has taken on a whole new meaning. It doesn’t take much now to become a friend to someone you have not even met in person.

       Knocking on doors, too, has gone out of fashion, as is sending greeting cards. All people do now is send a text, or send a BBM or a PM, depending on what smartphone one has. Even the term “mass communication” has become simply social communication, where connectivity is essential while relationality is optional.

       In this scheme of things, the “face-to-face,” personal, and intimate nature of communication has gone the way of the avatar: real but not quite; individual but not personal; known somewhat but not known in a real mutually engaging way. One hides as much as one reveals. Connected 24/7 but never attached. Involved but never fully engaged. Related but never truly attuned.

       So how does one solve the problem of a lack of resources for unexpected guests? Simple! There’s 7-Eleven and the all-nighter delivery. No need to bother an unwilling and uncooperative neighbor, who does not really appreciate receiving a “missed call” in the wee hours of the morning. But such is the real problem behind the times we live in. Relationships have been replaced by “circles,” by “groups” and “pages.” Intimate communications have been supplanted, too, by “shoutouts.” And in such a state of affairs, being connected 24/7 has all but written off the need for attachment and attunement.

       But prayer, the persistent type spoken of today in the Gospel passage, has to do with both. It is being related to God personally, truly and fully. It means being engaged, involved, attuned and attached. It means you know and love your child enough to give a fish and not a snake; an egg, and not a scorpion, all because your wall is emblazoned all over with love.

       Hesitate not to post love on your wall today! Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

REFLECTION QUESTION: How do you regard your relationships today?

Dear Lord, thank You for loving me. May I learn to love others as much as I love myself. Grant me a heart that’s sensitive to their needs.