Koe Talafungani o e Pongipongi foou ni: Filipai 2:12-18, Saame 27, Luke 14:25-33 Cleaning away the spiritual clutter In todays Gospel passage, Jesus isnt telling us to stop loving our family members, nor does he want us to reject them or disregard their feelings and their needs. The original Greek word used here, which we translate as hate actually means love less. To be Christs disciples, we have to love him more than anyone else. Our personal relationship with God is our top priority. Nor is Jesus telling us to empty our houses and bank accounts to give everything to the poor. Rather, hes warning us to not let possessiveness get in the way of our relationship with him. If we have something we can share and we see someone who needs it but we cling to it, we are not clinging to Jesus who has come to us in the form of that needy person. Do you care more about possessing the approval of others than Gods approval? If so, youre not following Jesus. Do you possess a destructive habit or pattern? Its probably filling a hole in your life, because you havent brought Jesus into it. I once had a friend who smoked cigarettes because his parents did, even though they suffered and died from smoking-related diseases. Although he considered himself to be pro-life, he refused to quit and slowly killed himself, because it made him feel closer to Mom and Dad. Whats cluttering your relationship with God? Anything that we hold onto because it seems important, if its not helping us grow closer to God and if it cant be used for his purposes, its worthless junk and it gets in our way. Its meaningless even when we give it great importance. What if the priest asks for increased donations? Is it easy for us to give more, or is ownership of the money getting in the way of our trust in Jesus? Todays first reading tells us that in everything we do, we should do it without grumbling. Yet we grumble when the pastor asks for an increase in donations. We grumble when a pesky relative needs our help. We grumble when the sun rises and we face the days workload. We grumble when we cant work and someone asks us to use our free time in a parish ministry that weve never done before. Grumbling is another attachment that gets in the way of our relationship with God. Has complaining ever really helped? And what kind of a witness is this? Does it uplift the people who must hear it? Pay attention to the grumbling you do today. Unless youre saying it to some sort of counselor, its probably not helping you grow emotionally or spiritually. Jesus endured the worst pain of all and yet he never uttered one word of complaint! For God is the one who, for his good purpose and plans, works in you and through you. Do everything he asks you to do, without grumbling or questioning. When our friendship with Jesus is truly our highest priority not just when its convenient or feels good, but all the time our trust in him is perfected and we follow him wherever he goes, without questioning his purposes or complaining about his plans. Talamōnū atu ki he Aho ni mo hono ngaahi Fatongia. Ofa atu moe hūfaki.
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 11:47:33 +0000
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