WHAT'S IN A NAME?

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

 

“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” – Luke 9:24

 

Rough times with my religious gifts business pushed me to try a new venture. The projected income looked promising. But transitioning to a “worldlier” business was a bit tricky. Early on, my principles were tested.

Deciding on forum topics for our women’s website caused a minor upheaval in the company. Someone suggested sex to give members a venue to discuss related concerns. Although not bad per se, I was afraid this would create an opening for inappropriate discussion. I was told I had a 19th century mentality. Other sites for women had this and it brought much needed members and page views.

I was pointed to another site with this topic. The lewd postings there horrified me. Although I had no other prospects, I was ready to quit if this happens in our website. I believed that professing my love for the Lord and getting involved in something like this is contradictory. I remembered reading that sometimes our life is the only Bible other people read.

Thankfully, the Lord allowed me to stay with a clear conscience. The noncontroversial topic of love, dating and romance was used instead.Lella Santiago (mirellasantiago@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

Are you ready to stand up for your beliefs no matter what the cost?

 

Lord, give me the courage to be a bold witness for You amidst a sinful world.

THIRSTING FOR THE LORD!

 

Last year, the Church celebrated the year of priests, on the occasion of the 150thanniversary of the birth of St. John Mary Vianney, a priest through and through, always and everywhere; a priest worthy of emulation; a priest who thirsted as much for the Lord, as he did for those whom the Lord loved. Some years ago, an ad of a popular non-cola drink struck me. “Obey your thirst,” it says, alongside a bubbly, cold, fizzling bottle of sugary but clear delight. To me, it echoed what another ad proclaimed: “Just do it.” It almost sounds like an invitation to act on impulse. Purposelessly. For no reason whatsoever.

Such an attitude does not seem to be shared by the readings today. They speak of choice: “My soul thirsts for you, O Lord.” They refer to a call: “All of you are children of God through your faith in Christ Jesus, for you have been baptized in Christ.” And they speak of a definite response to an important question: “But you, who do you say that I am?” There is a big difference between being thirsty and thirsting for something or someone. Thirst is something that needs to be quenched immediately. The non-cola drink is right in prescribing prompt obedience to thirst. And so is that ubiquitous swoosh sign that tells us to follow our impulse.

But there is nothing impulsive about the generous and total selfoffering of Christ, who declares today: “The Son of Man must suffer much, denounced by the elders, the high priests and the scribes, put to death, and rise again on the third day.” This is the same choice and decision that led St. John Mary Vianney to offer his whole life to service as a priest of Jesus Christ in Ars, France.

The need to quench one’s thirst can be impulsive. But the choice and decision to thirst for God alone, can never be a fruit of a shallow, impulsive drive. “He who wishes to save his own life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake, will save it.” Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

 

Reflection Question:

Do I thirst for God? What am I doing to satisfy my thirst for Him?

 

Lord God, my life is dry without You. I thirst for You. Help me to quench it with Your Word, with the Sacraments, with prayer.

 

Blessed Anthony Turner, pray for us.