One of the Ten

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/070113.cfm) reminds me how each and everyone of us count in God’s eyes.

Last week, I was having coffee with a friend and we talked about the Philippines. It’s frustrating and scary to see the things happening around us – poverty, rampant corruption in the government and even in private sectors, exploitation and moral values being compromised.  The country got a good financial ranking, but only the rich feel it, and as it goes, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Then it entered out thoughts thatwhat if God would do to us what he did with Sodom and Gomorrah? But we were assured that even if there are a LOT of corrupt people, we can find at least 10 righteous people, thus God will spare us.

In the first reading, we see the Story of Abraham bargaining with God regarding Sodom and Gomorrah. It’s interesting to note how close Abraham is to God, how Abraham can bargain with God and God not getting angry with it. It is inspiring and should move us to work so we too can have that personal and intimate relationship with God, that we can bargain respectfully, and God not getting angry with it.

Sometimes we may feel that our efforts are futile. Sometimes we are discouraged by the culture of corruption in our country, feeling that whatever we do won’t matter and won’t affect what is happening. Sometimes we wonder if living a righteous life is worth it or makes sense, with all the evil in this world. However, we are reminded today that it does matter. No matter how rampant evil is in the world, let us continue to live lives pleasing to God. It may not have an immediate and strong effect in the world, but it is in God’s eyes. For all we know, we are one of the ten people keeping God from destroying this world, so we should just press on, continue to live in a way pleasing to Him, and have faith that God will not abandon us and will continue to be patient with us until people start to realize how we should live.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for being a very generous and gracious God. I ask that you help me be like Abraham. May I develop that very personal and very intimate relationship with you. and as I do so, I pray that my life always be pleasing to you. May I inspire others to live in a way pleasing to you as well. May we never tire of doing what is good in your eyes, despite the evil around us. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-