It is 25th August 2020. We celebrate the memorial of St Louis of France; St Joseph Calasanz, priest. The readings are from 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 14-17; and the Gospel from Matthew 23:23-26.
Our interest in the future must not exhaust us to live the present fruitfully.
Some of us are always much worried and anxious what will happen tomorrow not focusing and fertilizing the present.
The same sentiments were found in the Thessalonica as it is in the first reading.
When we have not believed and grasped enough the purpose and the meaning of our salvation in the Incarnation of Jesus fully, we are too excited discussing and deliberating about the Second Coming of our Lord. It is time to be focused in the abiding presence of Jesus in our lives. “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” (2 Thes.2:16,17). Our families need one another, our quality and affectionate time to be with each other during this pandemic as our children are preparing themselves to dive into a new type of learning and challenges ahead of them. It is time to prioritize our family values, bonds, and traditions to be revisited and restored. Let us not run away from this primary importance of facing each other in love, honesty, and sincerity. Too much of anything is not good for the integral formation of families. There is so much of a transition going on in our life and families at this moment. Have some time out regularly as a family to cherish them otherwise we may all perish as a community.
The responsorial Psalm praises, “The Lord comes to rule the earth.” (Ps.96:13).
The Gospel invites us to look right within before we examine and explore the outside. Our families are the hearts of our communities. There is so much to be looked right inside everyone’s family. Let us not waste the precious moments of our living by cleaning the dirt in the communities before we mop the floors of our families. People who are afraid of cleaning the inside are much bolder and boisterous in cleaning the outside. “First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean.” (Mt. 23:26).
May God help us to empathize with our families to spread the wings of charity in the community. Have a lovely day. God bless you.
Thank you Fr for taking the time to help all of us with these powerful reflections.
Much appreciated.