19/10/2016
Today's Inspirational Snippet: “To convert somebody go and take them by the hand and guide them.”
Reflection for Wednesday of the 29th Week of Ordinary Time October 19, 2016
Today is the Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs
Today's Readings:
Ephesians 3:2-12
Isaiah 12:2-6
Luke 12:39-48
Today's Mercy Quote: - "Allow the light and the healing presence of Christ to shine brightly through your lives. In that way, all those who come in contact with you will discover the loving kindness of God." ~ St. John Paul II
SERVANTHOOD - CONTRIBUTE RESPONSIBLY FOR THE GOOD OF GOD’S FAMILY
Today the Scripture passages tells us firstly about the works of St. Paul the Apostle who was called by God and was sent to preach the Good News of God into the foreign lands to the pagan peoples who have yet to hear the Good News, and who have yet to know the identity of their true Lord and Saviour. Many of us Christians are not aware of this mission which God had entrusted to us through His Apostles and His Church.
Jesus presents to us that we should be responsible to take care of others. In the letter to the Ephesians, St Paul reveals to us that God wants all men to share in His life and love, to belong to His Family. This caring for others is not only the work of church and government officials, teachers, administrators, community leaders, as well as husbands and wives and so on and so forth, this is for all.
We have to work hard to take care and help others because this is the best thing we can give back to God. Those who choose to live in peace must help their neighbors to live in peace. Those who choose to live well must help others to live well, for the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. Having been revealed this mystery, St Paul was given this responsibility of handing over the plan of God to all.
It is exigent that we who have received the gift of revelation must enlighten all humanity on the plan of God for the family and for marriage. The laity therefore has a prophetic mission in the world to be at the service of the family of God. How do we do this? Firstly, we must be proactive by preempting so that we will not degenerate to the extent that Western culture has reached. Secondly, besides education and formation, we need good witnesses of the gospel of the family.
Indeed, one of the causes for disillusion about marriage and family is the lack of living witnesses. Married couples are individualistic, caring more about himself or herself than the spouse. Before we teach others, we need to teach ourselves and live out our convictions. We need to put our own house in order first. We need to be good parents and spouses and set good examples and bring up our children in the faith.
To do this work, we need to draw grace and strength from the Lord. Without His grace, we cannot be good spouses and parents. To draw water from the well means to be supported by the Church, the family of God. For us who have been privileged to receive the mercy and revelation of God with regard to marriage and family, we have no excuse for being irresponsible guardians of the household of God.
Saint John Paul II wrote in Familiaris Consortio: “The future of humanity passes by way of the family”. Gaudium et Spe reminds us, “The well-being of the individual person and of human and Christian society is intimately linked with the healthy condition of that community produced by marriage and family”. In fact, the Lord is already here for the Kingdom of God like leaven is already present in a hidden manner in our midst. Are you aware of this fact and are you living accordingly?
Brothers and Sisters, what is it that God entrusted to us? It is the mission of evangelisation, to preach the Good News to our brethren, to one another, to all those who have yet to receive and to hear the Good News, all those who are living in sin and corruption of their darkness and wickedness, that all of these may be saved and may be freed from the evils that beset them and be brought into eternal life in God.
Today. Let each of us become aware that we live `In Christ`. We MUST become aware of each other as an invitation from Christ.
