My dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord´s vineyard. Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Eph. 4:2) Here is our daily reading and reflection: March 17, 2014 Monday THE WORD Dn 9: 4b-10 / Lk 6: 36-38 Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful. “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” IN OTHER WORDS Fr. Henri Nouwen, professor at the School of Divinity, Harvard University, author of many spiritual books, experienced his deepest insight into the identity of God, the Father of Jesus, with: “THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON”. For the rest of his life the parable of the prodigal son became his favorite topic, in his sermons and retreat seminars. It expressed the mission of Jesus and the mission of the Father in the work of salvation. Be merciful, love and you will be “children of the Most High”. At the eve of his life Fr. Henri Nouwen chose to live like a simple “worker-servant” at the L’Arche, an institution for physically and psychologically challenged persons. “Be merciful as your Father is merciful.” Another aspect of mercy is: “Stop judging and you will not be judged”. The story is told of the man who died and came to heaven’s gate. St. Peter welcomed him with a smile. But when the newcomer saw the “saints”, he became speechless: There were his neighbor who owed him money, the butcher who had two wives, the drunkard who was a born trouble-maker, and the professor who did not go to Mass anymore, because he was an atheist. But they were all quiet. He whispered to Peter: “Why are they so quiet?” Peter whispered back: “They are stunned, they did not expect you to be here?” As they say: “Every saint has a history and every sinner has a future.” What a beautiful world this would be, if people were more merciful and less judgmental! - Fr. Leo Schmitt,SVD (St. Arnold Janssen Shrine Parish, Cainta, Rizal) On personal note: Who doesnt desire the praise and respect of others? We want others to see us at our best with all of our strengths and achievements - rather than at our worst with all of our faults and shortcomings. God sees us as we truly are - sinners and beggars always in need of his mercy, help, and guidance. Respect for God and for his ways inclines us to Godly humility and simplicity of heart. What is true humility and why should we embrace it? True humility is not feeling bad about yourself, or having a low opinion of yourself, or thinking of yourself as inferior to others. True humility frees us from preoccupation with ourselves, whereas a low self-opinion tends to focus our attention on ourselves. Humility is truth in self-understanding and truth in action. Viewing ourselves truthfully, with sober judgment, means seeing ourselves the way God sees us (Psalm 139:1-4). Lord Jesus, you became a servant for my sake to set me free from the tyranny of selfish pride and self-concern. Teach me to be humble as you are humble and to love others generously with selfless service and kindness. Have a nice everyone!!! In the Divine Word, fr.toni,svd
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 21:08:06 +0000
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