Listen to Him

Today’s Gospel Text:  While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother." Matt 12:46-50

Reflection:  There are something’s in life whose value we may never realize and in something’s it is necessary that we know the value.

Children as they grow up may never realize the value of their parents and what contribution they have made to their lives.

Even as this statement is made here many of us may try to understand value from a pure material point of view.

There are many who see the value of their parents or a worker merely from what they are able to deliver in terms of wealth and money.  

How many of us value relationships and what they contribute to us and our total well being?

Every good relationship, if based on a sound principle and on the right foundation is a help and a blessing, even if those persons or individuals may be useless for the many.

In the gospel of today, Jesus, as he establishes a new relationship, raises us to a new level.

Have we realized what Jesus has done for us: we who have opted to follow him become his mother, brother, sister, etc.

A relationship not established by blood but by faith, through the shedding of his blood on the cross.

By doing this he is not discarding the old relationship but re-establishes them on a new foundation and this new foundation is what even his mother and brothers did walk on.

The will of the Father was openly spoken at the Baptism and at the transfiguration, a will of obedience and faith: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." Matt 17:5

Hence, if anyone wants to be a relative of Jesus, the Lord and God then they have to make a choice; either to listen to himself or other great leaders, thinkers or philosophers or listen to him with whom God is pleased.

Every revealed word in the Bible and that which is proclaimed in the church through a time tested tradition or communicated to us through a legitimate magisterium, is the word of Christ spoken to us and we are called upon to listen.

Prayer: Lord, you have called me to the obedience of faith, may I always seek your voice in everything and chose to listen to it.

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

Listen to Him

Today’s Gospel:  And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves; and he was transfigured before them, 3 and his garments became glistening, intensely white, as no fuller on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Eli'jah with Moses; and they were talking to Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli'jah." 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were exceedingly afraid. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him."    Mark 9:2-7

Reflection:  Whom do you listen to? This can well be answered when one asks oneself; whom do I go to when I have a problem? Even this can sometimes be a deceptive question?  What could be still better is this; whose advice do I take most of the time and whom do I depend on most of the time for advice?

Then the next thing to check is this; what is the opinion I have of myself?  Do I believe in myself as taught by my education? Do I analyze things and thoughts, sermons, lectures and news item in my mind so as to dissect the motives and intention, the logic and the truth, before arriving at decisions?

The real problem arises when we are totally dependent on our own intellect and wisdom or on others as if we understand every mystery as they are supposed to be understood.  

The Psalmist having realized the reality of this truth says:  “O Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a child quieted at its mother's breast; like a child that is quieted is my soul.”  Ps 131:1-2

In keeping with this truth about humans we arrive at a threshold of decision making: who do I trust and should trust? In other words whom do I listen to?

For us it is God himself has spoken for our good and for our salvation: "This is my beloved Son; listen to him." If there is any human being who knows what is best for us, for our good health and longevity, then remember, God knows even better than them all; “This is my beloved Son; listen to him."

Prayer: “O that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! I would soon subdue their enemies, and turn my hand against their foes.”  Ps 81:13-14

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