Live a Just Life...!
The author of the Book of Wisdom encouraged the people to live a just life, not only for the sake of building a peaceful society here on earth but also because "the life of the just is in the hand of God." It is but natural to say, "Live a just life."However, the reality is just the opposite, as unjust structures, established by men control the lives of the people in a society, besides our individual inclinations and failure to live a just life.
How did humanity arrive at such a scheme of deception? It is natural for men to live justly, but it has also become very normal for men to conduct his affairs unjustly. It indicates an inner conflict caused by unwarranted forces of false desire to be a slave of power and wealth, which is unnatural to humankind. Such a dichotomy within the individual personality breeds ill-effects on society.
Charity is good, but justice is noble. Denying justice is not only taking away from a person what belongs to him/her but betraying his/her rights and denying his/her dignity as a child of God. In every circumstance of sin, there is a violation of justice and charity. Therefore, it is only for us to delve deeper into our being, in order to hear the natural voice calling us to live a just life.
Prophet Amos confronts the people of God, who have defiled their relationship with God and neighbor by conducting their business in an unworthy manner. The chosen people sought every opportunity to cheat the poor and the vulnerable of t society to amass wealth for themselves. The Lord swears it by the pride of Jacob: Never will I forget a single thing you have done."
You can be the slave of God and of money." Therefore, it is imperative to listen to our inner voice inviting us to live a just life to build the Kingdom of God. At the same time, being aware that God sometimes tempers justice with mercy, not to deny righteousness, but for wholeness and holiness. Let us seek His forgiveness and promote peace and justice. ( Fr. Peter Fernandes, sfx. Pastor, St. Timothy Church )
Monday, September 27, 2010
In His Wisdom...
The ontological argument by St.Anselm to ascertain the belief in the existence of God affirms the wisdom and understanding coming from the same eternal source."I won't try to reach your heights Lord since I could never make my understanding reach that high. Yet I still want somehow to understand your truth, which my heart believes and loves. For, rather than seeking to understand so that I can believe so that I can understand. In fact, one of the things That I believe is that, unless I believe, I cannot understand."
The author of the book of wisdom employs a similar approach to decipher the divine wisdom. Human life is feeble, and the reasoning of mortals is unsure. How then can we conduct our affairs with true understanding and knowledge? On a few occasions, we find in the Old Testament the mention of the Holy Spirit. One such mention is in today's first reading. ( Wis 9:13-18b). The author affirms the human limitations saying, "Who could have learned your intentions, had you not granted wisdom and sent your Holy Spirit from above? Thus have the paths of those on earth been straightened and men being taught that pleases you and saved by wisdom."
This gift of God is poured in abundance upon all through His Son Jesus, in the Holy Spirit at baptism. In fact, St. Paul reminds us of a divine transformation at the reception of the Holy Spirit, while writing to Philemon. All receive the same gift and are elevated to the same dignity as children of God. Onesimus was a slave, who had escaped from his master. Having received the gift of God's grace while living with St. Paul, he is being sent back to his master, now as a dear brother, "one in the Lord."
Jesus confirms the wisdom of God revealed in the salvation history recorded in the sacred scriptures. Unless we learn to deny ourselves, snap the ties of security with the family and friends, and learn to trust in the Lord, we will not find wisdom. In which case, we might build towers, but they will not stand the test of time. Our pursuit of true happiness will end up in space and time meaninglessly, thus denying our hearts the eternal longing for peace and bliss in God's kingdom.
Let us be lovers of wisdom and God will not deny anyone who sincerely seeks the Holy Spirit, the giver of wisdom. The wisdom of God then allows us to see all as children of God and heirs of eternal life. This world is nothing but the vanity of vanities. Therefore, live in His wisdom.
The ontological argument by St.Anselm to ascertain the belief in the existence of God affirms the wisdom and understanding coming from the same eternal source."I won't try to reach your heights Lord since I could never make my understanding reach that high. Yet I still want somehow to understand your truth, which my heart believes and loves. For, rather than seeking to understand so that I can believe so that I can understand. In fact, one of the things That I believe is that, unless I believe, I cannot understand."
The author of the book of wisdom employs a similar approach to decipher the divine wisdom. Human life is feeble, and the reasoning of mortals is unsure. How then can we conduct our affairs with true understanding and knowledge? On a few occasions, we find in the Old Testament the mention of the Holy Spirit. One such mention is in today's first reading. ( Wis 9:13-18b). The author affirms the human limitations saying, "Who could have learned your intentions, had you not granted wisdom and sent your Holy Spirit from above? Thus have the paths of those on earth been straightened and men being taught that pleases you and saved by wisdom."
This gift of God is poured in abundance upon all through His Son Jesus, in the Holy Spirit at baptism. In fact, St. Paul reminds us of a divine transformation at the reception of the Holy Spirit, while writing to Philemon. All receive the same gift and are elevated to the same dignity as children of God. Onesimus was a slave, who had escaped from his master. Having received the gift of God's grace while living with St. Paul, he is being sent back to his master, now as a dear brother, "one in the Lord."
Jesus confirms the wisdom of God revealed in the salvation history recorded in the sacred scriptures. Unless we learn to deny ourselves, snap the ties of security with the family and friends, and learn to trust in the Lord, we will not find wisdom. In which case, we might build towers, but they will not stand the test of time. Our pursuit of true happiness will end up in space and time meaninglessly, thus denying our hearts the eternal longing for peace and bliss in God's kingdom.
Let us be lovers of wisdom and God will not deny anyone who sincerely seeks the Holy Spirit, the giver of wisdom. The wisdom of God then allows us to see all as children of God and heirs of eternal life. This world is nothing but the vanity of vanities. Therefore, live in His wisdom.
"Who humbles himself will be exalted"
"Humility and Exaltation are such terms that inevitably create tension, as we face the currents of the two worlds colliding, and pulling us in an opposite direction. At such juncture, discernment is crucial to grow in wisdom and to conduct our affairs wisely for a smooth and steady pilgrimage of life. Otherwise, we might lose the battle of character, obscure the vision, and suffer a mighty fall.
the current of this world promotes exaltation and abhors humility. In general, people look up to those who have successfully achieved honor and glory among men. society loves heroes and adorns them in every possible way. this gives ample opportunity to the youngest to emulate such celebrated figures. Indeed, everyone wants to be the apple of the eye at any cost, while in the process, losing sight for greater liv8ing in the Kingdom of God.
The virtue of humility is the fruit of the spiritual journey of faith. the greater the awareness of the Almighty in one's life, the greater is the humility. This journey breaks the human personality in the eyes of the world and enjoins it to something more profound, that is, more attuned to the melody of God resounding everywhere. Therefore, Jesus says, "for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
The Sacred Scripture speaks volumes about humility and faith very loudly and clearly for all to hear, to understand, and to grow in wisdom. It was not something God imposed on us but He himself walked that path of humility.St. Paul writing to the Philippians said, "Although He existed in the form of God, He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man-, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason, also, God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bend of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth and that every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Our spiritual journey should lead us to grow in humility and faith. We have to emulate our Master Jesus, who gladly walked the path of humility to show us the way to our Father. We have to grow in this wisdom to make our life worthwhile. Otherwise, the wealth and the glory of this world will crumble, coming down upon us and crushing us to dust upon the earth. ( Fr. Peter Fernandes, sfx, Pastor, St. Tim.
"Humility and Exaltation are such terms that inevitably create tension, as we face the currents of the two worlds colliding, and pulling us in an opposite direction. At such juncture, discernment is crucial to grow in wisdom and to conduct our affairs wisely for a smooth and steady pilgrimage of life. Otherwise, we might lose the battle of character, obscure the vision, and suffer a mighty fall.
the current of this world promotes exaltation and abhors humility. In general, people look up to those who have successfully achieved honor and glory among men. society loves heroes and adorns them in every possible way. this gives ample opportunity to the youngest to emulate such celebrated figures. Indeed, everyone wants to be the apple of the eye at any cost, while in the process, losing sight for greater liv8ing in the Kingdom of God.
The virtue of humility is the fruit of the spiritual journey of faith. the greater the awareness of the Almighty in one's life, the greater is the humility. This journey breaks the human personality in the eyes of the world and enjoins it to something more profound, that is, more attuned to the melody of God resounding everywhere. Therefore, Jesus says, "for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
The Sacred Scripture speaks volumes about humility and faith very loudly and clearly for all to hear, to understand, and to grow in wisdom. It was not something God imposed on us but He himself walked that path of humility.St. Paul writing to the Philippians said, "Although He existed in the form of God, He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man-, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason, also, God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bend of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth and that every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Our spiritual journey should lead us to grow in humility and faith. We have to emulate our Master Jesus, who gladly walked the path of humility to show us the way to our Father. We have to grow in this wisdom to make our life worthwhile. Otherwise, the wealth and the glory of this world will crumble, coming down upon us and crushing us to dust upon the earth. ( Fr. Peter Fernandes, sfx, Pastor, St. Tim.
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