It is 03rd June 2020. We celebrate the memorial of St Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs. The readings are from 2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12; and the Gospel from Mark 12:18-27.
Thousands of man-made flames are lit around the world for several reasons whether it is in the memory of some great persons or at the dawn of sportive events. It is for a cultural, religious, economic and entertainment motives. It is time bound and vulnerable.
God has ignited a flame of faith and love in every one of us. Flame of love lit by God never dies. It needs to be treasured and rekindled by us.
St. Paul encourages us that the flame of life lit by God through the faith in Jesus is glowing in us every day through our acts of mercy and love.
It is our duty to rekindle and fan the flames in us so that the others who have lacked experience of flame could ignite it from us.
“For I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him.” (2 Tim.1:12).
This flame is the spirit of courage and power through love and self-discipline. St. Paul teaches us that we all called to experience these flames while suffering for the Good News, unshakable trusting in God amidst hopelessness, pandemic and pain.
Fear extinguishes the flame of courage and love.
The responsorial Psalm invokes, “To you, O Lord, I lift up my eyes.” (Ps. 123:1).
The Gospel reminds us of our life with God after our life here on earth. God never intends to put off the flame of faith and love for any reason. God wants us to be with God for ever. God of living will not let go off us to the world of dead and remain forgotten.
Eternal life is to experience the Light without shadows, love without lust, truth proved in testimonies of hope and truth.
It is also a day to remember those who have gone before us during this pandemic. We lost so many people within a short span of time to sickness, violence, racial discrimination and selfish wars even today.
It is our responsibility to carry the flame of faith, love and light and entrust back to the Giver of the flame.
We are the children of God and we are entitled to Resurrection and Life after with God.
When our resources are minimal, our perceptions are narrower.
The Risen Lord Jesus remains our Light and Truth as a Way that leads us to God. May you have peaceful day.