GOD'S REFLECTION

GOD’S REFLECTION

 

“Whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” – John 13:20

 

In the movie Mulan, part of the theme song goes, “When will my reflection show who Iam inside?”

Normally, I am a jolly person who greets and smiles warmly, who willingly lends a helping hand, who’s appreciative, who keeps things in order, who is obedient and kind and generous and everything nice. Well, that’s what I am — at times.

But assessing deeply, there are also times when I can be sarcastic to a saleslady or judgmental of friends or irritable towards other passengers at the MRT or discouraging to my husband or harsh to our son. Other times I can be idle, complacent or lazy. I can tell lies or mishandle my finances. During these times, my reflection shows someone I don’t know.

We are created in the image and likeness of God. He sends us to be bearers of His light, of His goodness and of His love. If our lives reflect Jesus in us, then people would find it easy to receive Him and offer their lives to Him.Sol Saura (solmsaura@gmail.com)

 

REFLECTION:

In everything we do, do we reflect the love of Christ?

 

Lord, transform us so that people may see You in us.

NO SERVANT IS GREATER THAN HIS MASTER

 

I think it is usually the goal of any apprentice to become as good as his mentor, and in the world this is possible. However, spiritually, this is not possible. The Vatican document, Gaudium et Spes, reminds us that in the person of Jesus, humanity can see all that it is meant to be — Jesus Christ reveals man to himself. This truth is the foundational truth of discipleship — the truth that tells us that we will never surpass our Lord and Master. However, God is so generous that He calls us to be one with Jesus and, in a somewhat oblique sense, this gives us equality with Jesus because true faith in Him makes us sons and daughters of the Father.

Scientists and academics do well to remember that we will not be able to surpass the wisdom and knowledge of God. If we want to study the things that will most benefit life and love, let us look at the program that Jesus sets before us in His life and ministry. Let us seek to place our lives and all the gifts God has given us at the service of humanity and in particular to those least able to speak and care for themselves. Too often the world is concerned with serving the rich and powerful with a quid pro quo attitude behind such service. Jesus specifically tells us that we should serve those who cannot repay us, not those who can. This is what true love and generosity is all about.

As we seek to grow in discipleship, let us open our lives to the grace of the Spirit who will lead us in the footsteps of the Master and thus make our lives ones of sacrifice to the Father in imitation of Jesus. It is only when we give ourselves over to the will of God that the fullness of who we are is free to shine and to be experienced by others and the world. It is only then that we will truly offer all that we can to build the Kingdom of God and be an instrument of that Kingdom to the best of our ability. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

What is more important to me: my desires or the will of God? This is a simple question that, if answered honestly, will have great consequences for the work of God’s  Kingdom.

 

Holy Spirit, grant me the grace to recognize that the fullness of life is available to me if and only if I live according to God’s will in my life.

 

St. Peter of Verona, pray for us.