The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/120415.cfm) reminds me that God sometimes reward us according to what we say and how we act.
The movie flywheel is about a man who before his conversion was a shrewd car salesman. In one of the scenes, a pastor was buying a car from him. Like he always does, he gave him a “not-so-honest” deal, making money for himself and putting the buyer on a disadvantage. But since the pastor did not know this, he was so happy with the deal and said a prayer: “Lord, I ask you that you treat Jay just like he treated me today in this deal”
What if God were to treat us this way? What is God would bless us based on how we bless others? What if God’s goodness is dependent on how good we live?
The gospel today is similar in the sense that Jesus used the personal faith of the blind men.
It is easy to profess our faith. It is easy to say we love God. It is easy to appear good to others. It is possible, like Jay in the movie, to appear to be doing good even if they really are not. However, even if other people do not know what is really inside, God knows. God sees what other people cannot see. God sees our deepest, darkest secrets. God knows our intentions. God knows our faith.
God knows how much we really love him.
God is infinitely good, and he treats us not the way we deserve to be treated. He is full of grace, and it is this grace, which translates to our undeserved blessings, that we experience in our lives. God will not force us to change before he loves and blesses us. But as we experience his love and blessings, we should be moved to improve and be better ourselves.
May we not be contented with what other people think of us, but work on what God sees in us. May our image or reputation be not as important as the real deal inside of us, the reality in our lives that only God can see.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend coming up. Thank you for all your blessings that I do not deserve. Lord, only you know me. Only you know what is really inside my heart. And I thank you that even if you see everything that is inside, your love for me does not change. Thank you for your great love, for your genuine love for me despite of all my shortcomings, of my deepest darkest secrets. I know how important faith is, and I know how you see the real me, so I ask that you help me improve my faith, to strengthen my spiritual life, even if other people would not see it. May I not look for recognition or a good reputation among others, but work to have a good heart inside that follows you, that serves you, that loves you. Amen.
Blessed day!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflections:
December 4, 2015
Reading 1 Is 29:17-24
Thus says the Lord GOD:
But a very little while,
and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard,
and the orchard be regarded as a forest!
On that day the deaf shall hear
the words of a book;
And out of gloom and darkness,
the eyes of the blind shall see.
The lowly will ever find joy in the LORD,
and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
For the tyrant will be no more
and the arrogant will have gone;
All who are alert to do evil will be cut off,
those whose mere word condemns a man,
Who ensnare his defender at the gate,
and leave the just man with an empty claim.
Therefore thus says the LORD,
the God of the house of Jacob,
who redeemed Abraham:
Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of,
nor shall his face grow pale.
When his children see
the work of my hands in his midst,
They shall keep my name holy;
they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob,
and be in awe of the God of Israel.
Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding,
and those who find fault shall receive instruction.
But a very little while,
and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard,
and the orchard be regarded as a forest!
On that day the deaf shall hear
the words of a book;
And out of gloom and darkness,
the eyes of the blind shall see.
The lowly will ever find joy in the LORD,
and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
For the tyrant will be no more
and the arrogant will have gone;
All who are alert to do evil will be cut off,
those whose mere word condemns a man,
Who ensnare his defender at the gate,
and leave the just man with an empty claim.
Therefore thus says the LORD,
the God of the house of Jacob,
who redeemed Abraham:
Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of,
nor shall his face grow pale.
When his children see
the work of my hands in his midst,
They shall keep my name holy;
they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob,
and be in awe of the God of Israel.
Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding,
and those who find fault shall receive instruction.
Responsorial Psalm PS 27:1, 4, 13-14
R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, our Lord shall come with power;
he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, our Lord shall come with power;
he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mt 9:27-31
As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out,
“Son of David, have pity on us!”
When he entered the house,
the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them,
“Do you believe that I can do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they said to him.
Then he touched their eyes and said,
“Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened.
Jesus warned them sternly,
“See that no one knows about this.”
But they went out and spread word of him through all that land
“Son of David, have pity on us!”
When he entered the house,
the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them,
“Do you believe that I can do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they said to him.
Then he touched their eyes and said,
“Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened.
Jesus warned them sternly,
“See that no one knows about this.”
But they went out and spread word of him through all that land
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