The Way of the Lord is not Our Way!

 

21th week Saturday in Ordinary Time

Year One

1Thess 4:9-12

 Now concerning the love of the brothers and sisters,[a] you do not need to have anyone write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another;  and indeed you do love all the brothers and sisters[b] throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, beloved, to do so more and more, to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we directed you, so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and be dependent on no one. (1Thess 4:9-12).

Life and actions go together in living the love of God and love of the brothers and sisters. St Paul invites the Thessalonians to love God and one another, which we need not be taught by anyone. He tells them to live quietly, to do their work and to earn their living. It can happen that we become dependent on people for our living. We need to earn our bread and living. Let us not take anyone's service for free; let everyone be paid what is his/her due both in words, action and kind. Let us be interested in the well-being of the others; that is, showing love concretely. Loving, being good, and working means to see about the sustenance of the people with us and around us. Genuine love, life and action invite us to create a work culture of community at the service of God and the service of one another.

Do we create opportunities for people to make their living?

Year Two

1 Cor 1:26-31

The Way of the Lord is not Our Way!

God calls those whom he wants and qualifies them. God does not choose people of the royal family. God loves us because we are his creation. He loves us for he created us in his image and likeness. Our birth and background do not matter to him. What matters to him is our love for him and our use of the freedom that he has given us. He loves the responsibility that we make use of it for our growth and the good of others.

God surprise the proud by choosing what is weak and foolish in the world to shame the wise. God can raise a humble person to great status. It is not the worldly consideration that matters to him. The thinking of the Lord is different from those of the worldly people. It is through Jesus we are saved. We have salvation in Jesus who died on the Cross. If at all one boast let him boast of the Jesus who died on the Cross.

What do we boast about?

Mt 25:14-30

 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. (Mt 25:29)

 The Lord gives talents to all of us. We are asked to multiply them. Some of us bury them without making use of them for the betterment of ourselves and for others. It is true in the world that those who have more, will be given more. Those who have less will lose what they have, for they do not work hard.  It is the ability and gift to make use of resources, talents and multiply wealth.  It is not only a business technique that makes us grow in our possessions but also depends upon the integral life of a person coupled with the grace of God.  Those people who advance in life and in wealth are also God fearing and deal well with people. So, it is true that those who have more will be given more and those who have less, even what they have, will be taken away.

Do I make use of the resources I have and multiply them?

St Euphrasia Eluvathingal 

Fr Putti Anthaiah sdb

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