At the end, our life remains a statement. It is a statement of love or hatred; sacrifice or selfishness; and surrender or confrontation. Many statements will be inscribed in our gravestone, a few are engraved in the hearts of humanity.
Arch Bishop Helder Camara used to say to his catechist: Sisters and brothers, watch how you live. Your lives may be the only gospel your listeners will ever read.
When we are left with one option, it is better to opt for God.
When we receive a threat-note combined with public humiliation and dismissal in black and white in the form of a letter, email, text, Instagram, twitter, we are under a tremendous pressure to respond. It is nearly impossible to respond without adequate resources at hand. Retaliation and reaction are not the only responses available to us. Placing everything before the Lord brings success, security and peace.
The king Hezekiah faced similar situation when he received the letter of threat of Assyrians. God-fearing and faithful king Hezekiah interceded for the protection at the presence of the Lord. “Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.” (Ps.118:5). The prayer of Hezekiah offers us hope and courage to all of us to believe, and to tackle the issues of life head-on with the unfailing security found in God alone. God finds a way out and goes any extent to protect, and provide us. “Cast all your anxiety on God, because God cares for you.” (1 Pet.5:7). God destroyed the tents of Assyrians with the mysterious plague. Every unfavorable and distressing situation work in favor for us when we lean on God.
In the Gospel, Jesus proposes three qualities needed for a disciplined disciple such discernment, decency, and discipline. I am the gate for the sheep…whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture’ (John 10:7-9). Catechism teaches us in 1696 “The way of Christ “leads to life”; a contrary way “leads to destruction.” The Gospel parable of the two ways remains ever present in the catechesis of the Church; it shows the importance of moral decisions for our salvation: “There are two ways, the one of life, the other of death; but between the two, there is a great difference.” Faith cannot be displayed in an inappropriate and imprudent way. Before we expect others to treat us better, let our turn be the first and the best towards someone. Charity is the narrow way to God and Heaven. “Then the Lord your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land.” (Deut.30:9).
Relaying on God makes us resilient, resourceful and responsible in all we do and say. Existing than living, giving than receiving, entering than exiting be our spiritual endeavor on a daily basis. Let us not settle down with mediocrity and modernity rather dignity with cultural sensitivity and respect to all whom we meet and relate. Blessedness blossoms amidst struggles of the soul in choosing to surrender to the Lord or to submit to the world. May God kindly bless you. Have a lovely day ahead.