ARROGANCE IN PERFECTION

Arrogance in Perfection

 

So whoever is in Christ is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold new things have come. – 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

During a recent trip going up the Canadian Rocky Mountains, we took a two-day train ride and learned about the man largely responsible for the Canadian transcontinental railway.

William Van Horne was a powerful but shrewd railway construction manager. He set the record in building 670 kilometers of rail in just 10 months on extremely treacherous terrain. But in the process, one Chinese railway worker died for every kilometer laid.

I remembered myself working for a company which I brought to record highs in terms of market volumes and profits. I cared less for relationships with my staff and the employees as long as I got the results I wanted.

God humbled me when these companies crashed at the height of the Asian financial crisis. On my knees, God told me that my way to being a perfect manager was not His way.

The humbling experience brought about a renewal in me in the way I managed companies and people. I realized that God is a God of mercy. He is slow to anger and full of gentleness and compassion. Rolly España (rolly@homeliving.com.ph)

 

REFLECTION:

People often say that the end justifies the means. Do you accept this principle at the expense of others?

 

Teach me Your ways, Lord, that I may be worthy of my calling as a Christian.

He can tell the Story … He went through IT

 

The contents of Luke 15 are unique to this Gospel tradition, and the stories have no parallel in any of the other Gospels. Before an unbelieving group of Pharisees and scribes whose brand of righteousness made them intolerant of public sinners, Jesus — with the use of three parables – affirms God’s grace and mercy. Our proclamation for the liturgy today highlights two of these three parables: the story of the shepherd looking for the lost sheep, and the story of the prodigal or wasteful father welcoming back his prodigal younger son.

Why did Jesus prefer to use the stories of a sheep and of a rebellious younger son to communicate God’s unconditional and unimaginable love and leniency for sinners? Of course, the absolute reasons for this are only known to the divine mind of Jesus. However, we can also say that Jesus, in a sense, had an affinity to the experiences of sheep and son. Jesus Himself is known as the “Lamb of God” in the Gospel and in the Book of Revelations, both written by John the evangelist. Jesus is also known as the only Son of the Father. Though fully divine, Jesus as the Word-made-flesh felt the struggles of the physical and material world that He came to gather back to the Father. Jesus assumed all these experiences — “sans concupiscence” — in an act of self-emptying and “cum-passion.” Such understanding for humanity and the natural world that is the fruit of empathy makes Jesus an intercessor par excellence for the Father’s love and mercy. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

 

Reflection Question:

Do you tell stories and talk about people’s mistakes with a spirit of understanding and compassion? Or do you tend to be harsh and judgmental when dealing with the stories of people’s faults and weaknesses?

 

You were able to relate to us in our struggles, Lord. Help me to do that also with my neighbour so that I may be more like You.

 

Blessed Ambrose Fernandez, pray for us.