The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/111115.cfm) reminds me that we should remain humble despite all the worldly success, power and greatness we may achieve.
Here in the Philippines, power is very much abused. There are a lot of news and videos of powerful and influential people breaking the rules, expecting special treatment, and some even committing crimes without fear – all because of their connections, money and worldly power. They think that they can get away with anything. They expect everyone to know who they are, and accord them the special treatment that comes with their social status. This may work in this world, but not with God.
Worldly power means nothing to God.
In the first reading, we see that God does not treat differently those with power. He is not afraid of those in power, because he is the one who gave these powers, or allowed people to have such worldly powers. In fact, the reading says that the only difference having power will make is that it will subject them to stricter standards. All on earth was created by God, and all worldly power, fame and fortune is all from God, or obtained with God’s permission. This being the case, he expects us to be good stewards, and always remember the source of everything. If these things get in our heads, then God will be stricter upon us since we have not been faithful servants. Those who have power should not expect God to treat them in a special way, the way they can get people in this world to treat them.
We are all equal in God’s eyes. We are all his children, his creation. Regardless of what worldly power you have.
This is why we should always humble ourselves before God. In the gospel, we see how we should react. After we get what we pray for, after we get all the blessings we want and more, we should not forget God. We should not feel entitled to these things. We should be like the man who returned to thank him. Even with the good he received, his heart is on God. His faith tells him he is nothing without God, and he should not forget who gave him the great blessings he has.
May we all remember that everything is from God, and we should always humble ourselves before him. We should always thank him, and give him our praise by loving him through others.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. thank you for the reminder. Thank you for all the blessings Lord, for all those answered prayers, and most especially the blessings I do not ask and do not notice. Lord, I am sorry for being blinded. Sorry for the times I think and feel that I deserve all these things. Sorry for the times I feel that you should give them to me. And sorry for the times I forget you when I receive these blessings. May I always be reminded to give thanks, and to love you by sharing your love and blessings to others. may my heart always be in the right place. Amen.
Blessed day!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
November 11, 2015
Reading 1 Wis 6:1-11
Hear, O kings, and understand;
learn, you magistrates of the earth’s expanse!
Hearken, you who are in power over the multitude
and lord it over throngs of peoples!
Because authority was given you by the Lord
and sovereignty by the Most High,
who shall probe your works and scrutinize your counsels.
Because, though you were ministers of his kingdom, you judged not rightly,
and did not keep the law,
nor walk according to the will of God,
Terribly and swiftly shall he come against you,
because judgment is stern for the exalted–
For the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy
but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test.
For the Lord of all shows no partiality,
nor does he fear greatness,
Because he himself made the great as well as the small,
and he provides for all alike;
but for those in power a rigorous scrutiny impends.To you, therefore, O princes, are my words addressed
that you may learn wisdom and that you may not sin.
For those who keep the holy precepts hallowed shall be found holy,
and those learned in them will have ready a response.
Desire therefore my words;
long for them and you shall be instructed.
learn, you magistrates of the earth’s expanse!
Hearken, you who are in power over the multitude
and lord it over throngs of peoples!
Because authority was given you by the Lord
and sovereignty by the Most High,
who shall probe your works and scrutinize your counsels.
Because, though you were ministers of his kingdom, you judged not rightly,
and did not keep the law,
nor walk according to the will of God,
Terribly and swiftly shall he come against you,
because judgment is stern for the exalted–
For the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy
but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test.
For the Lord of all shows no partiality,
nor does he fear greatness,
Because he himself made the great as well as the small,
and he provides for all alike;
but for those in power a rigorous scrutiny impends.To you, therefore, O princes, are my words addressed
that you may learn wisdom and that you may not sin.
For those who keep the holy precepts hallowed shall be found holy,
and those learned in them will have ready a response.
Desire therefore my words;
long for them and you shall be instructed.
Responsorial Psalm PS 82:3-4, 6-7
R. (8a) Rise up, O God, bring judgment to the earth.
Defend the lowly and the fatherless;
render justice to the afflicted and the destitute.
Rescue the lowly and the poor;
from the hand of the wicked deliver them.
R. Rise up, O God, bring judgment to the earth.
I said: “You are gods,
all of you sons of the Most High;
yet like men you shall die,
and fall like any prince.”
R. Rise up, O God, bring judgment to the earth.
Defend the lowly and the fatherless;
render justice to the afflicted and the destitute.
Rescue the lowly and the poor;
from the hand of the wicked deliver them.
R. Rise up, O God, bring judgment to the earth.
I said: “You are gods,
all of you sons of the Most High;
yet like men you shall die,
and fall like any prince.”
R. Rise up, O God, bring judgment to the earth.
Alleluia 1 Thes 5:18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In all circumstances, give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In all circumstances, give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Lk 17:11-19
As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying,
“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
And when he saw them, he said,
“Go show yourselves to the priests.”
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
“Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.”
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying,
“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
And when he saw them, he said,
“Go show yourselves to the priests.”
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
“Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.”
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