Today's Readings
Thursday of the thirty third week in ordinary time
Revelation 5:1-10
Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b (with Rev. 5:10)
Luke 19:41-44
The story is told about Chinoy who was a drug pusher and addict. He was counseled by his wife to stop his self-destructing vices. But Chinoy ignored his wife’s advice after a few months Chinoy was caught by the police and was imprisoned for life.
What would happen to us if we would not listen to meaningful advice?
When we ignore meaningful advice, something that we don’t like will come upon us. We will not know when will it come to us but it will certainly come to us. So what are we going to do if someone is giving us meaningful advice? We have to listen and reform so that nothing untoward would happen to us.
Why did Jesus weep over the people Jerusalem? This is for the reason that they did not listen to the messengers of God who wanted nothing but their welfare. They shut their eyes and ears to God as if God did not exist.
Jesus came some 2,000 years ago and walked the roads of Galilee and Palestine. And Jesus continues to visit us in many ways today. Perhaps his favourite way to visit us is through a baptized son or daughter who reflects the face of God. He is also present to others through our eyes, our hands, our words, and our deeds. Our witness should never be underestimated, since this is how Jesus has chosen to spread Christianity throughout the world. Do I look for and see Christ in others? Do I seek to be Christ to others?
As we continue with our journey in this world there would be people who will give us meaningful advice. People who will tell us to disengage from a friend or people who will tell us to stop doing wrong.
We have to listen to them not because they know better than us. We have to listen for the reason that God sent them to us so that we could straighten our crooked and sinful lives.
Reflect, today, upon the serious temptation we all face of being indifferent to Christ. It’s easy for us to have a little faith and to turn to God when it is to our advantage. But it is also very easy to remain indifferent to Christ when things in life seem to be going well. We easily fall into the trap of thinking we do not need to daily surrender to Him in the most complete way possible. Root out any indifference to Christ today and tell Him you want to serve Him and His holy will with your whole heart.
Lord, I beg of You to weed out every bit of indifference in my heart. As You weep over my sin, may those tears wash me and cleanse me so that I may make a total commitment to You as my Divine Lord and King. I believe that you dwell in me by virtue of my baptism and that you reach out to others through my person. Help me to be a faithful instrument of your love and to show your face in its fullness through my life of communion with you. Jesus, I trust in You.
Today by God's grace, seek to intentionally be his hands, eyes, voice, and ambassador today to someone you meet. The Lord be with you.