Skeptic

Today’s Gospel Text: While he was thus speaking to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment; 21 for she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well." 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler's house, and saw the flute players, and the crowd making a tumult, 24 he said, "Depart; for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district. Matt 9:18-26

Reflection: They call them skeptics, who look at life in the negative sense and may keep grumbling about life and situations.

Likewise, there were skeptics at the funeral rites of the ruler's daughter. 

But how could they not, they grew up probably in keeping with Jewish tradition, in a family that played at funerals, the dirge.

They may have heard countless stories of death passed on from their ancestors and even been at funerals with their parents and grand parents playing the flute.

Could it be possible, that they have heard of people who have died for long hours and now coming back to life?

Possibly, they could have and there may have been cases like in our time, but in case a person does come to life then is a post script.

How can a person who is dead and is lying lifeless, cold as ever, be claimed to be sleeping?

That would be foolish and even the most optimist could fail in such circumstance.

But nevertheless, these with their expertise and knowledge do have an opportunity to make fun of the situation, failing to understand the power and might of God presence in their midst.

God will go to any extent to help us believe in him and his power, so that we may not be condemned, but be saved.

On the other hand these skeptics add to the drama, so that countless down the ages may unlearn their ways of approaching life and trust in God.

We can very well put ourselves in the shoes of these flute players and crowd and ask ourselves: “What would I have done in such a situation and how will I be prepared if such a situation should happen in our day? 

At the same time we should not be deceived by any imposter who will come in the name of the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, grant me wisdom, which you freely give to all those who ask of you and may I never chose to walk in darkness when I have the help of your light.

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

Saving Presence

Today’s Gospel Text:  And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, "Save, Lord; we are perishing." 26 And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O men of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?" Matt 8:23-27

Reflection: What was happening there in the boat? Can be a question that can still be asked in our time as: What is happening?

What a confusion it must have been there:

Jesus was in the midst of his own dedicated disciples and the boat was dangerously swamped by the waves.

In the midst of all these things Jesus is fast asleep while on the other hand the dedicated disciples must have been petrified with what was taking place.

They could have knelt down and prayed to the heavens and called on the Lord God almighty; for did they not learn it from Jesus the necessity of prayer and trust in God.

But they knew that the Lord  was already in their midst and it is only he, the savior, who could save them.

And if he the savior could save them then what was wrong in their prayer to him: "Save, Lord; we are perishing." (vs. 25b)

Then, why were they rebuked by the Lord for such a prayer to him who alone could save them from the lurking danger?

The problem was not so much in the correctness of the prayer but the faith behind the prayer.

The panic shown by the disciples was a clear indicator and it did not communicate faith in the Lord.

When Jesus is in our midst, and that is what he has assured us, then why are we afraid and panic and trust not his saving action.  Do we have to look at the waves and waver or do we have to look at the Lord and be silent?

In such situations God may appear sleeping but he is still in charge of his beloved and is in every way concerned about their survival, even unto eternity and much more than we are about ourselves.

Prayer: O God of my salvation, I believe in your saving power, help me never to lose trust in.

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

In God we Trust

Today’s Gospel Text:  He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others: 10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:9-14

Reflection: Here it is; a message for some who trust in themselves and consider that they are righteous and despise others. (vs.9)

And if you thought that this is the only category of people who exist, then you could be wrong.

For there are some who trust in themselves and may not despise others.

There could be some who could trust in themselves and know that they are not righteous and yet may not take steps in any positive directions, beginning with the need for self-distrust.

They could be some who may rarely trust in themselves and may have a very low self-image about themselves.

And there could be categories who swing according to moods or vacillate between the various categories.

What then is the right attitude for a Christian and why should they not follow one of the above categories of people?

The right attitude is that of distrusting oneself and trusting God in all things and everything.  We cannot trust ourselves totally for we are capable of deceiving ourselves, especially when it comes to the eternal path and  in recognizing the God of our salvation.

It is this deception which has been the cause of the birth of many religions, each deceived into creating their own and also creating the many divisions in the church of God. 

To those deceived, even a statement like this can create great bit of insecurity and hurt and may be wrongly interpreted to mean the things they understand as right.

God in Christ Jesus came to reveal to the whole of humanity the pathway to eternal salvation and hence he is the one to be trusted, he who proved himself by the action of the cross.

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust you and receive the justice which you have established through your passion, death and resurrection.

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

Riches to be Handled

Scripture/Bible:  "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Laz'arus, full of sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Laz'arus in his bosom. 24 And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Laz'arus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' 25 But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Laz'arus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' 27 And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, 28 for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' 29 But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' 30 And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 31 He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'" Luke 16:19-31

Reflection: It is a story about a rich man and a poor man. It’s a story about their lifestyle.  One had all the riches of this life and the other had nothing but poverty to live with.

What leads the rich man to hell fire was not so much his absence of charity but his lifestyle of rich satisfied life.  He had the good things of life.  On the other hand, in the case of the poor man, he had his hunger and desires which were not satisfied.

What could be the reason why the rich man had the good things of life? He could have been a men pleaser or a cheat or maybe an honest businessman who did not have his priorities right and did not know how to please God in the wealth God had blessed him with. “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." Luke 12:21

If he cared about God, then from the Lord himself he would have learnt the right attitude of life; to be generous with what he has been given, especially towards his poor brothers and sisters.

We could be satisfied with various riches, such as self confidence, speaking abilities, organizing abilities, learning abilities, the various talents or even the ability of giving and being generous about the things we have and posses and yet we may not be rich towards God.

Prayer: Lord my God, teach me not to be haughty on account of the riches that thou hast given me but instead to put my trust in you. (cfr. 2 Tim. 6: 17)

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