Reflection for MONDAY, 6th Week in Ordinary Time.
By
Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore
Today's Gospel Verses
Mark 8:11-13
The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.
Today's Reflection
There is a one-word question that can make us stop in our tracks and start to think of an answer for it.
That one-word question is - "Why?" And that one word question can be expressed in so many ways in order to express the sentiments behind it.
It can be expressed angrily, or defensively, or apologetically, or with curiosity.
The 1st reading tells us that if we need wisdom, we must ask God, who gives to all freely and ungrudgingly.
But we must ask with faith, and with no trace of doubt. But from our own experience of prayer, and especially when praying for a desperate need, we don't get answers as quickly or in the way we hope.
And we will turn to God and we will ask "Why?". It can be an angry "Why?" or a desperate "Why?".
But we will get our answers along the way, when life unfolds into the future, and we see that things happen for a reason. Yet, we will always have the "Why?" question.
In the gospel, it was not the people who were asking the question. Rather it was Jesus as He asked: Why does this generation demand for a sign?
God allows us to question Him and even to vent our anger and frustration on Him. And He will show us the answers as we move on in life.
But if God were to question us, especially if He were to ask us why are we always demanding for signs, will we be able to give Him an answer?
Maybe we should ask ourselves why are we questioning God? If it is faith and wisdom that we lack, then let us pray for it, and God will grant it to us freely and ungrudgingly.
14th February is popularly celebrated as Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day is, of course, a day when a there is a “sudden” wave of expression of love and care and affections to the ones whom we love.
When taken in the right spirit and when celebrated in a meaningful way, this Day becomes a Day…
… of “specially” recognizing the worth of the one(s) we love
… of showing our love and affection to the one(s) dear to the our heart
But our modern society unfortunately and tragically, sometimes tends to “rob” this day to be celebrated in a meaningful.
“Love” is highly commercialized and “sold”
External affections are unduly given greater importance, forgetting the prime duties – of commitment and faithfulness – involved with love.
Advertisers and commercialists rake in massive profits with a number of external objects portraying “love”
Whether this day truly becomes a day of “expressing genuine love and care”
Or whether it is more, a day of “externalities of ‘love-feelings’ taking the upper-hand…
… is a matter of debate, as well as a matter of one’s own personal choice and view.
But as a Christian, this day – Feb 14…
… is a day for us to remind ourselves to grow in the Immensity of God’s Love
… is a day for us to revive our basic duty of caring and being responsible to one another
… is a day for us to rediscover the worthiness of our lives and commit to grow in holiness
Jesus, the True Lover illustrates the real meaning of love…
… by leading us out of ignorance to true knowledge
… by inviting us to move from earthly riches to truly heavenly treasures
This is real and true love…
… a heart that makes one to move out of ignorance
…a heart that prompts in action to reach out to those in need of God’s true Word
Jesus, our True Lover… invites and challenges us to grow in this love!
Holding our hand, and with deep love and affection, He asks us:
“Will you be My valentine forever?”
Let’s not blush….let’s not be shy…
Instead in deep faith and true commitment, pledge forever, our love to the Lover of all Hearts!
GOD BLESS YOU
Good morning. Have a nice safe day.
Happy Valentine's Day