Inherit

Today’s Gospel Text: And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?" 27 And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." 28 And he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live." 29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30 Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, 34 and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" 37 He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10:25-37

Reflection: “A lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"  (vs.25)

The lawyer could have asked any other question under the sun or could have asked a question in keeping with his profession?  

He could have asked Jesus as to how the knowledge of the law could help in bringing about a reign of justice, peace and brotherhood?

(The lawyers of Jesus’ time were not in any way the same as the legal lawyers of today but were scribes who were well versed with Mosaic Law and taught them to the people)

Yet, what was asked by the lawyer was a question which could either be looked at with skepticism and negativity or with a sense of respect and approval as being the right question which everyone must either ponder on or ask.

It could also be looked upon as a selfish question with self centered overtones; In other words, one could say that instead of bothering about relevant issues of society or justice issues, this man is concerned about his eternity. 

One could even ask:  Will a struggle done on behalf of the poor and marginalized not assure him a place in heaven, and more so, since he is a lawyer he should be familiar with matters of justice and struggle?

Yet, we could have such experts in our day with such a stance and they may even come across as wiser than Jesus because in their criticism they overrule all that Jesus says, not by explicit rejection of what Jesus says but by their misinterpretation of the teachings of Jesus.

But we are not to be so because in saving ourselves we could be better equipped to save others; for this saving of ourselves is primarily accomplished with Christ Jesus by our willful cooperation and through whom we receive the grace to even reach out in love for our neighbor.

Prayer:  Lord, as I walk in your way, may I never lose sight of your salvific action in our lives which equips us to enter totally into your way of life.

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

He is with you

Today’s Gospel Text:  After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tibe'ri-as; and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathan'a-el of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zeb'edee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing.  4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." 6 He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.  9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. John 21:1-14

Reflection: We are now in a quandary, if we read the post resurrections scenes and this is one of them: Did Jesus engineer their absolute no catch situation?

Whole night they struggle and not a single fish in their net.  How can that ever be? How can God be so hard hearted at these poor fishermen and make them struggle the whole night until dawn in order to just show them a simple miracle?

Or could it just be a coincidence that they did not catch a single fish and then Jesus appears to perform a miracle?

The truth is this: God is the absolute master of every situation, especially to those who have put their trust in him.  For them, his working in their lives, no matter how hard and difficult is no small thing, but it is always and in all situations will be a mighty working of his power and might.

The Dedicated Disciples experience one such love action of God; for each time they experience the hide and seek of God it proves what the beloved John communicates in the Gospel:

“…… when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. John 13:1

God loves us that is the reason he allows these trying moments and difficulties so as to accomplish something greater. He is accomplishing his mighty works in you when he testing your faith.

This reason Peter the Apostle exhorts the early Christians, to those who believe, he does all these things so that their faith, which is more precious than silver or gold, may be tested in the fire and purified:

    

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7

Prayer: Lord, let me never lose sight of you each time when I am walking in the valley of darkness. Let me count on your assurance that you are with me with your crook and with your staff.

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