May the Lord give you peace and health in the Holy Spirit.
It is 09th August 2021. We celebrate the memorial of St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Virgin and Martyr.
We reflect on Deuteronomy 10:12-22; Ps 147:12-15,19-20; and of the Gospel of Mt 17:22-27.
To be free means to be responsible for all we do and behave.
When our destination is clear, the distance and disturbances do not matter much. Greater the motive, broader the motivation.
In being a responsible citizens of the world, the Heaven, and the Church, we all need to introspect something seriously. Do we pay tax or tithe, or something meant for the community, government, and the church we live and belong?
We can have a big panel of discussion on whether we need to pay or why to pay?
Freedom is the gift from God to the entire humanity. We are free to do everything and that does not mean we are free to do whatever pleases us and helps us, but our freedom needs to include the welfare of the community and those around us. True and authentic freedom enshrines in obeying God and serving humanity without expecting anything in return.
The focus of Jesus was his glorification on the Cross to obey the Father. Many things pass by in front of our lives every second we breathe and live. Somehow, our hearts do transcend towards the things that last and matter. Often, we get distracted with little, insignificant words and behaviours of people and the events that unfold in front of us. All that matters most is to listen to the silence and stammering of the heart than to be led by the violent voices of the mind and spirit.
Whatever are our rights and privileges in our life we are endowed with or acquired by a lifestyle, we are to be like Jesus and Peter to be responsible to offer them due to the community and country we live in. Let us not sacrifice the welfare of the group and the society over the choices of the individuals. May the rope of hope be strong always with fabrics of prayer, charity, love, and forgiveness to exercise our freedom without hurting the innumerable possibilities of the others. May God bless you.