Spiritual Man

Today’s Gospel Text:  Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." 3 So he told them this parable: 4 "What ---- 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."  11 And he said, "There was a man who had two sons; 12 and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. 15 So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants."' 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; 23 and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; 24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry.  25 "Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' 31 And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'" LK 15:1-3, 11-32

Reflection: Why do people avoid making friends or avoid going to a new place or a gathering of peoples? Is it on account of pride or vengeance or a lack of respect towards the invitee? Could be!

But there could be another reason, which is normally a dormant subconscious activity in the minds of people who would want to fellowship and go for such functions or gathering. This discomfort could be on account of variety of subconscious factors.

Similarly, some people could attract, it is not just pretty and handsome people we talk about, but also people with certain charism’ too.

But if one is hurt then the very one that could normally attract could now become a repellent. 

Similarly, there is an attraction which could be in any realm or area of talent; in such situations one could be attracted to sports and sports people or politics or academics or particular talents or types of services.

But there is an universal appeal to the spiritual realm too wherein people could get attracted to people who are spiritually bent and may seek to follow them.

Here one must be cautious and remind oneself that spiritual and spirituality doesn’t automatically qualify the spiritual for a following, they can also be deceivers; wolves in sheep clothing.

    

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  Matt 7:15

  

So you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Matt 23:28

One way to judge them is to look at the fruit they bear and that too we need the Lord’s help and grace; for even otherwise our salvation is in the Lord, who has established for us the institutions necessary for our salvation.

Prayer: Lord, you guide me by your right hand always, to walk in your path. 

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