Passing the buck:
Our mordern world is very fond of passing the buck. That is to say, of denying responsibility. It began in the garden. Adam blamed Eve. When Adam was asked why he sinned, he said,"it was on account of the woman you gave me." he did not say his wife but he blamed God. "On account of the woman you gave me." Then Eve blamed the serpent, and the buck was passed on. Children blame their parents; people blame their pastors and pastors blame the curates; the curates blame their pastors. All blame their bishops, and bishops blame the congregations. Psychiatrists and psychoanalysts blame the grandparents; they blame the lack of sufficient playgrounds. Bad instict is the victim for no one is responsible, and so the buck is passed on. But where does the passing of the buck and denial of responsibility cease? At the cross. There it ends. . At last there's someone to blame. Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Upon Him was the chastisement that made us whole and by His stripes we have been healed. When He cried out: "It's Finished", the price was fully paid. he took full responsibility for reconciling us to the Father. Out of Love for the Father and mankind he learned to be obedient even unto death, death on the Cross. There it ends!
Tuesday 28 February 2012
Monday 27 February 2012
How much is enough?
How much do we have a right to use? and what constitutes exploitation? We all have the right to life but what does this mean? The right to life includes more than questions about reproduction or war or capital punishment. It means each person has a right to eat, to be clothed, to be sheltered and to be nourished by the beauty of the world of which we are all a part. But how much and what quality / and or quantity of food do we have a right to when others who also have the right to eat do not have enough to live on? How many changes of clothing do we have a right to when others who have the right to be clothed go naked? How elaborate a home do we have a right to when others who also have a right to shelter are homeless? How much beauty do we have a right to when other gentle spirits live in squalor?
There are many circumstances that contribute to the complexity of these question making them difficult to answer. We cannot be censured for putting resources aside for future use, for education of our children for possible medical needs, for retirement and even for a long deserved vacation. But the question remains: how much do we need? How much do we have a right to? Our consumer society might tell us we have a right to everything we can earn and does that mean at the expense of the poor? In a world of limited resources how much do we have have a right to? What does the balance of the world's natural resourcdes tell us? What does the the legitimate needs of others tell us? Finally what does our religious tradition tell us? There may not be easy answers to these questions but as Christians we are not merely children of this world; we are also children of light. We are more than insatiable consumers. Our value is not to be found in the measure of our possessions but rather in the quality of our relationships, in particular our relationships with our 'deprived' sisters and brothers for the sake of Christ. "....for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me. I was ill and you comforted me, in prison and you came to visit me.......as often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me......" (Mat. 25, 31-46)
There are many circumstances that contribute to the complexity of these question making them difficult to answer. We cannot be censured for putting resources aside for future use, for education of our children for possible medical needs, for retirement and even for a long deserved vacation. But the question remains: how much do we need? How much do we have a right to? Our consumer society might tell us we have a right to everything we can earn and does that mean at the expense of the poor? In a world of limited resources how much do we have have a right to? What does the balance of the world's natural resourcdes tell us? What does the the legitimate needs of others tell us? Finally what does our religious tradition tell us? There may not be easy answers to these questions but as Christians we are not merely children of this world; we are also children of light. We are more than insatiable consumers. Our value is not to be found in the measure of our possessions but rather in the quality of our relationships, in particular our relationships with our 'deprived' sisters and brothers for the sake of Christ. "....for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me. I was ill and you comforted me, in prison and you came to visit me.......as often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me......" (Mat. 25, 31-46)
Tuesday 21 February 2012
Counting the Snowdrops:
The Northern hemisphere is at the moment enjoying what is called a 'Crocus Holiday'. The schools are closed and many families take their winter holidays going sking. But many others begin to pick up going walking as the temperatures begin to rise. This is a beautiful time to walk in the woods to see the snowdrops bursting forth from under the layers of leaves which a while ago was covered with snow. It's fun to see both adults and children counting the snowdrops. My own mind went back when I used to enjoy this snowdrop counts.
Recollecting these thoughts lead me to see this activity diferently. During winter when the ground is covered with snow, and every thing seems frozen, the naked eye cannot see the life growing underneath. We may recall the story of Jesus about the man who scatters seed upon the earth and forgot about them. He went about doing other things. The seed sprouts and grows, he knows not how. The soil produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain.... (Mk. 4:26..ff) This man has no control over the growth of the seed he has scattered. The elements needed for growth are beyond his power. God is the source of life and he nurtures growth.
The seed growing by itself is the mystery of grace at work in our hearts even if we are not aware of it. It is the presence of grace in the Church even if not seen with the naked eye. Grace is at work in each one of us and this gives hope to persevere in prayer that God's grace will flower in us and in the lives of our loved ones. At Baptism the Trinitarian love of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. Even if we wander away, His love is with us, prompting and reminding us of His love and mercy. It's not His will that we should die without acknowledging Him as that will not benefit Him. Jesus came and died on our behalf to reconcile us to the Father so that we can be with Him after this short span of our earthly life compared to eternity.
As you count or admire the snowdrops and soon the crocusses, on the carpet- landscape around you, remember the same power that produced this is also working in you, bursting and/or waiting to burst forth even though you may not know or have forgotten this.
The Northern hemisphere is at the moment enjoying what is called a 'Crocus Holiday'. The schools are closed and many families take their winter holidays going sking. But many others begin to pick up going walking as the temperatures begin to rise. This is a beautiful time to walk in the woods to see the snowdrops bursting forth from under the layers of leaves which a while ago was covered with snow. It's fun to see both adults and children counting the snowdrops. My own mind went back when I used to enjoy this snowdrop counts.
Recollecting these thoughts lead me to see this activity diferently. During winter when the ground is covered with snow, and every thing seems frozen, the naked eye cannot see the life growing underneath. We may recall the story of Jesus about the man who scatters seed upon the earth and forgot about them. He went about doing other things. The seed sprouts and grows, he knows not how. The soil produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain.... (Mk. 4:26..ff) This man has no control over the growth of the seed he has scattered. The elements needed for growth are beyond his power. God is the source of life and he nurtures growth.
The seed growing by itself is the mystery of grace at work in our hearts even if we are not aware of it. It is the presence of grace in the Church even if not seen with the naked eye. Grace is at work in each one of us and this gives hope to persevere in prayer that God's grace will flower in us and in the lives of our loved ones. At Baptism the Trinitarian love of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. Even if we wander away, His love is with us, prompting and reminding us of His love and mercy. It's not His will that we should die without acknowledging Him as that will not benefit Him. Jesus came and died on our behalf to reconcile us to the Father so that we can be with Him after this short span of our earthly life compared to eternity.
As you count or admire the snowdrops and soon the crocusses, on the carpet- landscape around you, remember the same power that produced this is also working in you, bursting and/or waiting to burst forth even though you may not know or have forgotten this.
Saturday 18 February 2012
How was Church today?
'O great, the preacher was fantastic, the singing was good and the attendance was high.....' then the little child ask: "but where is Jesus, why don't I see him for the preacher said that he lives in us ?" Yes, what is the answer to the little child's question? where is Jesus, if he lives or is supposed to live in us, why is he not visible in our actions and in our words? The first believers in Christ were called 'followers of the Way' which later came to be known as 'Christians'. Today how can we, Christians, be described? do we have the mind and heart of Christ? are we compassionate in our dealings.........?
What is the missing ingredient in our life today? "Love one another as I have loved you and by this all will know that you are my disciples". God so loved the world that He gave himself up for us even when we did not fully understand his actions. God's love for the world, me/you/us... try to personalize it, and what do you see? the love of God that will not let you/me go..... the Cross .... that is the price of God's love for the world/me/you. That's the degree by which we should love God and one another.
Christianity is having a living relationship with Christ and one another. So therefore as the Christian world prepares for Lent, let the world see how much we love and care for one another to answer the little child's question. That little child can be your neighbour, the homeless in your neighbouhood, your colleagues at work, don't look too far off, ask yourself: "Is Jesus living in me?" and with His grace begin act like Him.
'O great, the preacher was fantastic, the singing was good and the attendance was high.....' then the little child ask: "but where is Jesus, why don't I see him for the preacher said that he lives in us ?" Yes, what is the answer to the little child's question? where is Jesus, if he lives or is supposed to live in us, why is he not visible in our actions and in our words? The first believers in Christ were called 'followers of the Way' which later came to be known as 'Christians'. Today how can we, Christians, be described? do we have the mind and heart of Christ? are we compassionate in our dealings.........?
What is the missing ingredient in our life today? "Love one another as I have loved you and by this all will know that you are my disciples". God so loved the world that He gave himself up for us even when we did not fully understand his actions. God's love for the world, me/you/us... try to personalize it, and what do you see? the love of God that will not let you/me go..... the Cross .... that is the price of God's love for the world/me/you. That's the degree by which we should love God and one another.
Christianity is having a living relationship with Christ and one another. So therefore as the Christian world prepares for Lent, let the world see how much we love and care for one another to answer the little child's question. That little child can be your neighbour, the homeless in your neighbouhood, your colleagues at work, don't look too far off, ask yourself: "Is Jesus living in me?" and with His grace begin act like Him.
Monday 13 February 2012
We can hate truth and fear goodness:
Love declines when evil is at work in us and we hesitate to change. We can hate truth because it means a change. For that reason we often resent the truth that is told about ourselves. We tend to rationalize what we have done. We will stay away from a doctor, lest he find cancer. We don't want to know the truth. We like to hear about social action and political-moral problems, but we're not too keen on hearing the truth about ourselves because truth hurts.
We fear goodness because we like to keep our own standards. We have moved away from the standard of Christ to the standard of the world. We don't ask ourselves, "Does this please Christ?" but rather "Does this please the world?" So I will dress and act in such a way that I will not be separated from the world; I want to be with it. We 'marry' this age and become a 'widow' in the next one. We take on its verbiage and its fashions. Are we surprised that there is so much instability in the Church today?; the sand on which we are walking is shifting. We have sadly given up the 'rock', which is Christ.
Love declines when evil is at work in us and we hesitate to change. We can hate truth because it means a change. For that reason we often resent the truth that is told about ourselves. We tend to rationalize what we have done. We will stay away from a doctor, lest he find cancer. We don't want to know the truth. We like to hear about social action and political-moral problems, but we're not too keen on hearing the truth about ourselves because truth hurts.
We fear goodness because we like to keep our own standards. We have moved away from the standard of Christ to the standard of the world. We don't ask ourselves, "Does this please Christ?" but rather "Does this please the world?" So I will dress and act in such a way that I will not be separated from the world; I want to be with it. We 'marry' this age and become a 'widow' in the next one. We take on its verbiage and its fashions. Are we surprised that there is so much instability in the Church today?; the sand on which we are walking is shifting. We have sadly given up the 'rock', which is Christ.
Sunday 12 February 2012
Learning from the Birds: Dependence on God
"Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet their heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more important than they?..." (Lk. 6:26 - 34)
St Francis was reported to have talked to birds in which he reminded them of how much God loves them; " He gave you feathers to clothe you, wings so that you might fly and everything else that you need. God has made you most noble of his creatures, giving you a home in the purity of the air; and though you neither so or reap, he protects and governs you without any anxiety on your part ". The birds seemed to be really blessed by God but what about you? "Are you not more important than them?" . The difference is that we don't want to depend on God even though He is the source of all that we have we take a whole lifetime to realise while in between we suffer many untold anxieties. You may have seen many birds in your life but have you taken the time to really 'look' at them?. Take time and look at the birds, take time and watch them and learn from them. You are more important than them if only you will accept this fact. Discover your worth in God who has endowed you with a mind, body and soul. He knows all your needs and provides them in ways you cannot imagine. Learn to depend on him by entrusting your whole life to Him. Take time today and look at the birds and learn from them.
"Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet their heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more important than they?..." (Lk. 6:26 - 34)
St Francis was reported to have talked to birds in which he reminded them of how much God loves them; " He gave you feathers to clothe you, wings so that you might fly and everything else that you need. God has made you most noble of his creatures, giving you a home in the purity of the air; and though you neither so or reap, he protects and governs you without any anxiety on your part ". The birds seemed to be really blessed by God but what about you? "Are you not more important than them?" . The difference is that we don't want to depend on God even though He is the source of all that we have we take a whole lifetime to realise while in between we suffer many untold anxieties. You may have seen many birds in your life but have you taken the time to really 'look' at them?. Take time and look at the birds, take time and watch them and learn from them. You are more important than them if only you will accept this fact. Discover your worth in God who has endowed you with a mind, body and soul. He knows all your needs and provides them in ways you cannot imagine. Learn to depend on him by entrusting your whole life to Him. Take time today and look at the birds and learn from them.
Saturday 11 February 2012
When do you know yourself?
When we are young we think we are doing very well but when we get older, we are sure we are not. When the 'adultress' was brought to the Lord, the woman whom the people wanted to stone......, who left first as Jesus wrote in the sand the sins of those who were there?
The eldest: "They began to leave, beginning with the eldest". As we grow older, we know that we have done little service. I'm grateful to God as I look back on my life.......without knowing He has always been with me. For what do I know that I did not receive, what am I without Him. Take a look back, don't you feel that you have done so little?
When we are young we think we are doing very well but when we get older, we are sure we are not. When the 'adultress' was brought to the Lord, the woman whom the people wanted to stone......, who left first as Jesus wrote in the sand the sins of those who were there?
The eldest: "They began to leave, beginning with the eldest". As we grow older, we know that we have done little service. I'm grateful to God as I look back on my life.......without knowing He has always been with me. For what do I know that I did not receive, what am I without Him. Take a look back, don't you feel that you have done so little?
Friday 10 February 2012
Foolish: How foolish am I? when was the last time someone called me foolish? It's better to be foolish in the eyes of the world than God.
The Parable of the Rich Fool: (Lk 12:16-21) In this story the rich had a bountiful harvest. he had ro pull down his small barns to build larger ones so to store his harvest. After that he congratulated himself on his achievements: ..'rest eat, drink be merry as you have stored so much for many years!'... But God said to him 'You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have stored, to whom will they belong?'. God is the source of all blessings so are we not obliged to share not only the surplus with others?
The Parable of the Ten Virgins: (Mt. 25:1-13) In this story the kingdom of heaven is compaired to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones when taking their lamps brought no oil with them but the wise ones brought flasks of oil with them.. after a long waiting the bridegroom finally was announced. The wise ones trimmed their lamps but the foolish ones have to go to buy oil and so could not meet the bridegroom when he arived.
To be called foolish by the world is better than to be called a fool by God so be prepared always!
The Parable of the Rich Fool: (Lk 12:16-21) In this story the rich had a bountiful harvest. he had ro pull down his small barns to build larger ones so to store his harvest. After that he congratulated himself on his achievements: ..'rest eat, drink be merry as you have stored so much for many years!'... But God said to him 'You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have stored, to whom will they belong?'. God is the source of all blessings so are we not obliged to share not only the surplus with others?
The Parable of the Ten Virgins: (Mt. 25:1-13) In this story the kingdom of heaven is compaired to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones when taking their lamps brought no oil with them but the wise ones brought flasks of oil with them.. after a long waiting the bridegroom finally was announced. The wise ones trimmed their lamps but the foolish ones have to go to buy oil and so could not meet the bridegroom when he arived.
To be called foolish by the world is better than to be called a fool by God so be prepared always!
Tuesday 7 February 2012
Indifference:
As time goes by we tend to adopt subtle attitudes to suit the times we are living in. There is a danger of losing our sensitivity and become indifferent.
Take a frog and put that frog in water. Then heat the water imperceptibly, day by day increasing the temperature until the water is boiling. At no point during the increase of temperature will the frog ever offer resistance. It will never realise that the water is too hot - untill it's dead. That's the way we can be spiritually. We just become used to temperatures of the world and we don't realise that it is gradually possessing us, untl we are in its grip. So we are toying with triteness, shallowness and dullness until nothing matters anymore - whatever!
As Christians, we need be alert not to become lukewarm, neither cold or hot. This is a dangerous state to loose your zeal for the Lord our first love. He loved us first by giving himself for us while we were still sinners. And "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him and he with me........" (Rev. 3:20)
We can only hear this gentle knock if we listen and have the courage to open the door of our hearts to let in the Lord . In this age of noise all around and within, we need to take time to withdraw to listen. May you make time today to listen and pray:
Maranatha, Come Lord
Come Lord and be my guest
Come and take delight in my soul
Come and reign in my heart
Come and make me entirely yours.
As time goes by we tend to adopt subtle attitudes to suit the times we are living in. There is a danger of losing our sensitivity and become indifferent.
Take a frog and put that frog in water. Then heat the water imperceptibly, day by day increasing the temperature until the water is boiling. At no point during the increase of temperature will the frog ever offer resistance. It will never realise that the water is too hot - untill it's dead. That's the way we can be spiritually. We just become used to temperatures of the world and we don't realise that it is gradually possessing us, untl we are in its grip. So we are toying with triteness, shallowness and dullness until nothing matters anymore - whatever!
As Christians, we need be alert not to become lukewarm, neither cold or hot. This is a dangerous state to loose your zeal for the Lord our first love. He loved us first by giving himself for us while we were still sinners. And "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him and he with me........" (Rev. 3:20)
We can only hear this gentle knock if we listen and have the courage to open the door of our hearts to let in the Lord . In this age of noise all around and within, we need to take time to withdraw to listen. May you make time today to listen and pray:
Maranatha, Come Lord
Come Lord and be my guest
Come and take delight in my soul
Come and reign in my heart
Come and make me entirely yours.
Sunday 5 February 2012
Buried Talents: The mole once had eyes to see, but it grovelled down in the depths of the earth, and mother Nature, as if seated in judgment, said, 'Take the talent away!' and the talent that is not used was taken away. Is this not sad? ..... Think about it, recall Jesus' parable of the talents (Mt.25:14-30). The 3 servants were given varied talents by their master. "To one he gave five talents, to another he gave, two talents; to third he gave one - to each according to his ability".... How best are we using the talent(s) that have been entrusted to us? are we putting them to good use or have we burried them? If we take time to count, we will be surprised what the Lord has done. Don't take them for granted, each has been given to you for a purpose and only you will give an account. Those who receive more will have to account for more, so work with the 'one' you have as you have to account only for one.
It's not how many talents you have been given, but how best you try to use them not for self glory but for the benefit of others and to the glory of Lord.
It's not how many talents you have been given, but how best you try to use them not for self glory but for the benefit of others and to the glory of Lord.
Saturday 4 February 2012
"Give me therefore an understanding mind in governing your people that I may discern between good and evil" was King Solomon's humble response to God
An understanding mind so as to discern between good and evil.. God was very pleased with King Solomon's request that he was granted more than he even dared to ask. "Because you have requested this rather long life, or wealth or even vengeance.........I shall grant your request......... I will also give you what you have not asked for, both wealth and fame......"(1 Kings 3:4-13)
How will the world be if everyone in authority before taking office will pray for understanding mind, to govern their nationals to discern between good and evil?; what about if each person in whatever you do will seek to discern between good and evil?. The world today needs more than ever leaders with understaning mind to discern between good and evil. Every authority is given from above and to be able to perform according to the will of the Giver, we need to seek wisdom to make right decisions and the ability to discern justice.
Like Solomon our prayer should be generous and unselfish. We need to ask for the Holy Spirit to live as Christians in the face of today's challenges, boldness to witness to God's unfailing love and mercy towards us, and to recognise that everything we have is a gift to be accounted for. If all we have is a gift, then we cannot boast of them but acknowledge the giver of the gift, keeping in mind that we are only channels for the gift to flow to others. We are at the threshold of a new evangelisation and we do need an understanding mind to discern good from evil. Let's not be afraid to ask for wisdom.
"God, grant me the courage to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference"
An understanding mind so as to discern between good and evil.. God was very pleased with King Solomon's request that he was granted more than he even dared to ask. "Because you have requested this rather long life, or wealth or even vengeance.........I shall grant your request......... I will also give you what you have not asked for, both wealth and fame......"(1 Kings 3:4-13)
How will the world be if everyone in authority before taking office will pray for understanding mind, to govern their nationals to discern between good and evil?; what about if each person in whatever you do will seek to discern between good and evil?. The world today needs more than ever leaders with understaning mind to discern between good and evil. Every authority is given from above and to be able to perform according to the will of the Giver, we need to seek wisdom to make right decisions and the ability to discern justice.
Like Solomon our prayer should be generous and unselfish. We need to ask for the Holy Spirit to live as Christians in the face of today's challenges, boldness to witness to God's unfailing love and mercy towards us, and to recognise that everything we have is a gift to be accounted for. If all we have is a gift, then we cannot boast of them but acknowledge the giver of the gift, keeping in mind that we are only channels for the gift to flow to others. We are at the threshold of a new evangelisation and we do need an understanding mind to discern good from evil. Let's not be afraid to ask for wisdom.
"God, grant me the courage to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference"
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