CRAB MENTALITY

Crab Mentality

 

 

 

 

And from that day on, Saul was jealous of David. – 1 Samuel 18:9

 

 

Because we live in a Third World country, we tend to have a scarcity mentality. When others are blessed, we’re likely to be jealous, unconsciously thinking that they’re getting something that could possibly be ours. For example, when someone gets a promotion at work, instead of rejoicing with that person, you’ll hear others say, “Sipsip kasi,” implying that corporate patronage was behind the move.

But God’s blessing is for all. It’s like the Niagara Falls with its mighty water rushing to the bottom. The water travels upstream first before it flows downstream but it eventually reaches its destination. Its falls generates so much mist that it projects a number of rainbows.

Like the waters of Niagara, God’s blessings may seem to reach others first. We just have to stay thankful and faithful even as we persevere in claiming His promises. And just as the rainbow is a symbol of God’s covenant with His people (Genesis 3), He is faithful in keeping His promises to us. Rolly España (rolly@homeliving.com.ph)

 

REFLECTION:

Do you always feel that the neighbour next door or your co-worker is being blessed more often than you?

 

Lord, give me a thankful heart that I may realize that You always provide for what I need.

 

 

AND THE CROWDS JUST KEPT COMING

 

The few ministry years of Jesus must have been something to experience — a phenomenon of unprecedented proportions. I do not think I can really grasp what it would have been like. Perhaps if we envisage the huge crowds that gather when the pope arrives in a country and then repeat that again and again we will have some idea of the crowds that followed Jesus. It must have been an amazing experience.

I am reminded of a song I heard at a youth formation seminar with the main line exhorting us to “be prepared for the ride of a lifetime,” when we commit ourselves to follow Jesus as His disciples. This ought to be the truth. It is not that being a disciple means having amazing adventures all the time though they certainly should be a part of the mix of our lives. In 25 years of serious discipleship, I have seen miracles that blow my mind, yet there is a feeling at the back of my mind and heart that there is so much more available to us if only we would be more committed to our faith and let go of the controlling strings of our lives.

The lives of the saints have always fascinated me. I devour every book I can find on the saints and always feel inspired to do great things after reading them. However, the reality is that there are little changes in my life. Why? I think I lack the deep trust that is necessary to become a saint; I lack that absolute foolhardy depth of commitment to the will of God in my life. I am too much a child of our intellectual age — putting the cerebral before the spiritual —and hence reaping the fruit of such a decision. I think my faith is too conservative and I am not willing to totally leave everything in the hands of God and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus tells us that we will do greater things than He does. Why then don’t I see more miracles in my life and ministry? The only answer I can come up with is my lack of faith and trust in God. I wonder how it is in your life?Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

 

Reflection Question:

Perhaps we can make a commitment to one another to pray for a deeper faith in each others’ lives and that the will of God will be manifest in our lives every moment of every day. How about it? Let’s give it a go!

 

Father, I pray for every person who reads this reflection, that You will deepen their faith and work miracles through them every day.

 

Blessed Inez, pray for us.