Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them. – Romans 12:6

Seven pairs of hands held the rope — on which balanced some plastic eggs, at different angles and points. Slowly and somewhat prayerfully, we walked towards the goal.

       As we neared it, our movements became more coordinated. We finished the exercise without dropping a single egg — and found out later on that our group was the best finisher.

       Reflecting on that activity, I believe we succeeded because we trusted in what each person in the group could do. We were well-coordinated and we kept the goal in mind.

       Applying this to our work as the production team of Shepherd’s Voice Publications, which churns out more than 20 books a year and four monthly magazines, I realize the same things help us achieve our goals. Each one of us has his or her own strengths and weaknesses in terms of work style, preferences, skills and background. What one lacks, the other supports, even if it’s not part of one’s job description.

       That’s what the Church needs, too — we must contribute what we can, each according to the gifts given to us. And as long as we’re faithful to the Giver of the gifts, we can achieve our goal — for His greater glory. Tess V. Atienza (theresa.a@shepherdsvoice.com.ph)

Reflection: How are you using your God-given gifts in building His Kingdom?

Lead me, Lord, on how I can best use the gifts You have poured upon me.

St. Martin de Porres, religious, pray for us.

5 Brothers and sisters: We, though many, are one Body in Christ and individually parts of one another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; 7 if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; 8 if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. 11 Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly.

R: In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

1 O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor are my eyes haughty; I busy not myself with great things, nor with things too sublime for me. (R) 2 Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap, so is my soul within me. (R) 3 O Israel, hope in the Lord, both now and forever. (R)

Salvation is a gift that God gives to all people. He did not choose an elite clique of Christians as His disciples. He is not interested in our reasons for not being ready to follow Him. Either we recognize our need for salvation and avail of His offer or reject it. There is no excuse to delay our response to His call. Out of respect, let us show our gratitude for all  that God has done through Jesus, His Son, by readily following His call.

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.

15 One of those at table with Jesus said to him, “Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God.” 16 He replied to him, “A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many. 17 When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited, ‘Come, everything is now ready.’ 18 But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, ‘I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have purchased five yoke of oxen and am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.’ 20 And another said, ‘I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21 The servant went and reported this to his master. Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22 The servant reported, ‘Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.’ 23 The master then ordered the servant, ‘Go out  to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled. 24 For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.’ ”

think: Let love be genuine. We have to practice what we preach as followers of Christ.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Isaiah 45-48

LET HIM IN

Today’s parable is about a man who hosted a banquet and desired to invite many. To his dismay and embarrassment, all those he invited had their own excuses not to come: one had just bought a new piece of land which he had to attend to; another five yoke of oxen that he had to test; the other is newly married (see vv. 18-20).

       This is a symbol of the Messianic banquet prepared by God for everyone. The invitations have been given out and it is RSVP. Sadly, like in the parable, many of us don’t even bother to look at the invitation.

       This parable harkens to an old painting by William Holman Hunt. It is his allegorical representation of Revelation 3:20 which says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” He called it “The Light of the World.” It depicts Jesus, holding a lamp, standing outside and knocking on a door. What is peculiar in this painting is that the door has no doorknob or any handle of sorts. Hunt explained that the door in the painting can be opened only from the inside, representing “the obstinately shut mind” of the modern man. 

       But Jesus is the Divine gentleman. He can command to be let in if He wishes so. He doesn’t really need a door to be able to enter. But there He is, out in the cold, waiting courteously for those inside to open the door and invite Him in.

       Jesus however still wears the Kingly crown, which indicates that while rejection is a possibility for Him, in the end He is still regal and victorious. How will it turn out for us? We hold the key. Fr. Joel Jason

REFLECTION QUESTION: In what doors of your life is Jesus knocking and asking to be let in?

May we hear Your voice, O Lord, and never delay to let You in. Amen.