We are living in an age of an insistent inclination to the “Instant”….
We seek for…
>> Instant Coffees…
>> Instant Food…
>> Instant Juices…
>> Instant Pleasures…
>> Instant Solutions to problems…
>> Instant end to difficulties…
And sadly…even an inclination for Instant Christianity!
Christianity sometimes gets reduced to…
… Going to Church once in a while especially on a Sunday or a Feast day
… Saying a few prayers time to time
… Reading a few verses from the Bible.. etc…
>>> And then expecting Instant blessings and favours!
But is this all that Christ intended with Christianity?
>> What does it mean to be a Follower of Christ?
There are various categories or classifications in the job sector.
>> Some do a full time job
>> Some do it part time
>> Some do it on a contract basis
>> Some do it to achieve a target.
Am I a Christian, as a full timer…?
>> Or have I reduced it to a part time affair, or in terms of some contract or promises, or in order to achieve some wants and desires?
The Gospel of the Day is a call to re-look at some of the motives and intentions in our following of Christ.
The Gospel of the Day begins with the verse:
Mt 8:18 – “When He saw the crowd press around Him, Jesus gave orders to cross to the other shore”
The preceding verses in Chapter 8 of the Gospel of St Matthew present Jesus performing many miracles and healings…
… and a “Crowd” being attracted to the Lord.
Where there is a miraculous event, a crowd gathers….
But the Lord, wished to sift this Crowd.
>> He says, ” Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His Head” (Mt 8: 20)
Jesus does away with any promise of security and comfort
>> He discourages people from following Him for having a better material life!
It was not that He didn’t want many people…
… but He wished to purify their motives & make them authentic in their following Him!
He sifts and sieves and strains the “Crowd”…to get together the “Disciples”.
Where there is a miraculous event, a crowd gathers…
>> But when there is an exhortation in being committed to that miraculous event…
… the crowd is filtered…and only the Disciples remain back!
The Lord is asking us today…
Are we just a part of the CROWD…?
… or are we ready to be filtered, and be a DISCIPLE?
It is easy to be part of a Crowd….
>> We can enjoy the occasional miracles
>> We can relish hearing the Word of God
But it is not easy to be a Disciple…
>> The experience of external miracles would be few
>> The Word of God would not just be heard, but also be expected to be lived and practised in life!
>> There would be no guarantee of any security in life
>> Many of the personal desires would have to be left behind…
To be a Disciple is hard…
… undoubtedly painful…and certainly, demanding
>> But to be a Disciple is also joyful…
… undoubtedly satisfying…and certainly, exciting!!
The Crowd is Casual…
… the Disciple is Dedicated!
The Crowd is Dichotomous…
… the Disciple is Committed!
What are we going to choose?
To be part of the “Crowd” ?… an Instant and easy-going Christianity?
… or to be a “Disciple” – an Ever-faithful and committed Christianity?
Your answer please?…
… Instantly!
God Bless! Live Jesus!
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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “It is not those who commit the least faults who are the most holy…
… but those who have the greatest courage
… the greatest generosity
… the greatest love
… who make the boldest efforts to overcome themselves
… and are not immediately apprehensive about tripping!”
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Dear Fr. I have been reflecting this reflection capsules for last one year for my morning meditation. It has helped me a lot. Kindly may I have it through my email. I would be very grateful. Thank you Father.
Your’s sincerely
Sr. Jeya.
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