NOT TO FREEBIES

NO TO FREEBIES

 

“You are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves were filled.” – John 6:26

 

I’m often given “freebies” such as free dinner, a fully-paid airfare or gift items, usually as an incentive for me to get a credit card or join a seminar where they sell membership for hotels.

I used to take advantage of such offers until I realized that I cancel the credit card anyway and end up not buying the membership. After a while, the freebies lost their appeal and I now prefer to turn them all down.

Jesus knew very well that pleasing the crowd is not the way to elicit faith. He recognized that they are after Him not because they believe in Him, but only because of what He can provide for them. It’s such a shame that people do not realize that by taking the time to listen and accept Jesus, they would gain the richness of His kingdom and not just plain bread and fish.

Similarly, our faith should not be dependent on signs and wonders. Like the freebies, they might someday cease to be interesting and we’ll be much poorer for losing the message that the Giver is sharing. Cecilia Lim (cez_lim@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

When you look at the signs, are you getting the message?

 

Lord, nourish us with food that endures for eternal life.

 

DESTROYING A GOOD MAN’S REPUTATION

 

The destruction of a person’s good reputation is a terribly cynical action to be involved in. It is totally repulsive that anyone would seek to destroy another person’s good reputation simply because they do not share what he believes. Sure, enter into a debate about ideas with that person, but do not attack the dignity of the person. Stephen is a good man trying to respond to the Gospel call of love by preaching and living the Good News. However, he runs into opposition with the leading Jews of his time and they set out not only to destroy him but kill him.

Martyrdom for the sake of the Gospel always takes on this sort of structure — the unjust and violent persecution of the innocent. The Church teaches that every human person has an innate right to their own opinion about spiritual matters. It is something that flows from their human dignity and it is perfectly legitimate to argue with someone about their beliefs so long as we respect their right to hold to what they believe in. In fact, we must defend their right to this.

In the past, neither the Church nor general society has managed to universally respect this right. There are many examples of forced conversions to the faith. Such a program does not ultimately bear good fruit. We cannot change what happened in the past but we can seek to ensure that it never again happens in the future. We must respect a person’s right to freedom of faith and religion. Of course, this does not mean we have to accept everything that is done in the name of religion. For example, if someone supports abortion because it is a part of their religion, we do not have to support their implementation of such a belief. Indeed we are morally obliged to counter it as best as we can. Freedom to believe what we believe does not override the Natural Law.Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Do I tend to attack the person when they disagree with me or my ideas/beliefs?

 

Holy Spirit, open my heart to a true understanding of the dignity of the human person so that I will always give due respect to the fact that all people are made in Your image and likeness.

 

St. Anthony of Pavoni, pray for us.