Emotions

Today’s Gospel Text:  As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day." And they were greatly distressed.

24 When they came to Caper'na-um, the collectors of the half-shekel tax went up to Peter and said, "Does not your teacher pay the tax?" 25 He said, "Yes." And when he came home, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their sons or from others?" 26 And when he said, "From others," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free. 27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel; take that and give it to them for me and for yourself." Matt 17:22-27

Reflection: What do you think may have happened after Jesus announces his imminent death? Did the dedicated disciples understand what Jesus had to say or do?

For this we need to know the many ways in which we pick up the thought processes of others.

Primarily we could be picking up the thought processes of others either through a mere observation of the face, the body language, the emotional expressions and above all through words.

What may come across to us in written format are the mere words of the divine person, who was in complete control of his emotions.

Which means Jesus would express the right emotions at the right time and in right measure but it does not mean the absence of emotions which God has created so that we are able to express completely in every measure.

Thus the dedicated disciples may have picked up the emotions and the seriousness from the actual reality, from what they were seeing, which Jesus may have wanted to communicate to them.

Thus the scripture tell us: “And they were greatly distressed.” 

May be some of this distress was clearly evident in the voice and tone of Jesus at the way he was going to be handed over to mere men and that too sinful.

Emotions are something which God has created for men and for their good, so that they are able to express and communicate and through the proper use of these emotions and in right situations and occasions God will also work out his salvation in us.

Christian spirituality does not look at emotions in a negative way and as one to be suppressed and pushed into oblivion but rather as one to be expressed when necessary and in the right measure for the good of self and for others and above all for the greater glory of God.

Prayer:  Lord, I thank you for thy hands have made and fashioned me, give me understanding that I may ever rejoice in your ways. (cfr. Ps. 119: 73)

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

God’s Measure

Today’s Gospel Text:  For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 21 "You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison; 26 truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny. Matt 5:20-26

Reflection: There are measures and there are standards; criteria’s by which we judge and arrive at conclusions.

An athlete’s competence will be measured by the standard set by the previous record holder or by the standard set by the one immediately preceding them.

Similarly, there are standards set for material objects, metals, for specified jobs, growth and quality.

If we have to excel in life then we need to set a standard for growth and development. 

As the standard set so is the effort put in, in order to achieve the set target.  Some standards are very specific and measurable and requires great precision in order to achieve it.

Certain scientific instruments fit in with such category.

Similarly, Christian spirituality too sets a standard for us in our walk with God.

There are standards to attain perfection:

There are standards to be dedicated disciples of Jesus:

There is a standard, the minimum that is required to enter into eternal life: “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (vs.20)

The righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees came from the practice of the law and Jesus invites us to do more than that; to trust in the saving power of God and his wisdom to do the right thing and enter into eternal life.

Prayer:  “Correct me, O Lord, but in just measure; not in thy anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.”  Jer 10:24

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us