STOP PARANOIA

STOP PARANOIA

 

“Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?” – Matthew 6:27

 

I have the most paranoid parents-in-law. Once, I came home early and asked my mother-in-law where my son was. She panicked and said, “He’s not in his room? The babysitter must have kidnapped him!” When I brought my son to the beach, my father-in-law called more than five times to tell us to be wary of sharks that might eat his grandchild alive.

I asked my mother-in-law once why they worry so much. She said, “Well, what if something really bad happens?” I replied, “Then that’s the time you worry. But until you actually get the bad news, you just have to believe that all of us are all right.” She looked at me with a bemused smile and said, “That’s not the way we think.”

I don’t know if my assurance is born out of being a Christian or because I just happen to be optimistic. But I do know that as I grow older and have more responsibilities, I make it a point to lift all my troubles to God. I find that if I want to be free of my worries, I turn my thoughts to the next life and what do you know? Everything else becomes trivial. Cecilia Lim (cez_lim@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

“Do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.” (Matthew 6:34)

 

Deliver us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

 

GOD, MAMMON AND ME

 

There is something about a threesome that gives the impression of stability, security and steadfastness. In rural Philippines, before LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) and La Germania cooking ranges came to the scene, earthen stoves always had three stones placed right next to each other to form a triangle. By experience, I know that the triangular form constituted the most stable among several options. Two is too little; and four would be too much. Three is just right.

But in family systems theory, a threesome is not exactly seen as a picture of stability. Technically called “triangulation,” a three-pronged temporary arrangement in unstable systems might initially give a sense of security and balance, but in the long run, the system will show the innate instability attached to a triangular relationship. In the long haul, all three parties will see-saw from one dyad to another, and the ensuing process would be characterized by a fluid and constantly shifting situation of two against one, depending on the matter at hand, depending on the current source of anxiety that needs resolution at the moment.

I would like to think that the readings of today call for an honest, straightforward declaration of a simple act of loyalty, not to a shifting object of allegiance, but a simple and unadulterated commitment to the Lord — and nothing more, nothing less and nothing else besides.

Athaliah dabbled with two masters: the true God and the false god. She resorted to sinful machinations to get rid of the rightful ruler. So did Ahab whose story we read last week, who plotted to kill Naboth and pillaged a vineyard not his own. Both cases are similar to a story that could be entitled as “God, Mammon and Me” — a triangulated relationship marked by shifting allegiances.

Today, the readings remind us that a stable and solid spirituality is one marked by radicality and fidelity. “Forever, I will keep my love for Him [alone]!” “No man can serve two masters… You cannot give yourselves to God and money.” It ought to be God and me. Period. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

 

Reflection Question:

In ordinary times and in times of crisis, where does my allegiance lie — in God or in mammon?

 

Lord Jesus, help me to trust in Your promise that You will provide for all our needs.

 

St. Gervase, pray for us.