“Amending our lives in a way that we not only preach, but much more, practise in life!”
(Based on Zep 3:1-2, 9-13 and Mt 21:28-32 – Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Advent)
In a certain village, a parishioner – a Catholic for many years – was having a conversation with his parish priest.
He said: “Father, if I had fifty acres of land, I would have gladly donated half of it – twenty-five acres – to the Lord and His church”
The priest replied: “Ah! That’s so nice and generous of you. And what if you had only 20 acres?”
The man replied: “Oh! Yes, I would have given 10 of it!”
“And”, continued the priest, “what if you had only 10 acres?” Will you spare five for the Lord?”
“Sure, I would”, said the man.
Finally, the priest said, “And what if you had only two acres? Would you give one to the Lord?”
“Oh!”, snapped the man, “Now don’t ask me that!
You know, that I have only two acres!”
Well…
… that’s how it is often in our lives as well, isn’t it?
We promise many big things to the Lord…
… but when it comes to “actually doing something for the Lord”, we tend to back out!
Are we just preachers?
… or can we also be people who practise?
Life judges us, on the basis of how well does our preaching and practising co-ordinate & complement each other.
Life presents different moments when there seems to be a dichotomy between one’s words and deeds…
Life challenges us to bridge the gap between the two essentials of life – one’s talking and one’s walking the talk!
The Gospel of the Day presents to us an interesting parable of two Sons who are asked to work by their Father.
One SAYS YES…but DOES NOT! The other SAYS NO…BUT DOES!
One preaches… but does not practise!
The other does not preach… but practises!
One consents initially… but refuses finally!
The other refuses initially… but consents finally!
How often does this situation arise in our own lives and situations too…
We pledge ourselves at trendy events, for the cause of the poor…
… but we fail to help
Many others remain quite unnoticed…
… but become forerunners for the cause of the poor!
We make a big show and be popular as a helpful person…
… but we fail in some genuine needs
Many others remain quite unnoticed…
… but are present with their full force to render help!
We make many resolutions on new year days or birthdays…
… but fail to materialize them
Many others remain quite unnoticed…
… but are able to make many amendments and changes!
We make many promises to the Lord during feast days or novena times…
… but fail to live up
Many others remain quite unnoticed…
… but render much love to the Lord through the year!
We all experience this “I will do”…
… but “I did not do” experiences in life.
On the personal Faith Level, this trend is seen more distinctly and vividly…
People claim themselves to be Catholics…
… but appear in church only on grand feast days!People appreciate the Catholic teaching…
… but support moral laws and practise morality which go directly against!People assert having dedicated their lives to God…
… but fail to find time for God and prayer!People declare loving God above all…
… but fail to reject pleasures which hurts and pains Him!People profess and make vows to God…
… but neglect to even try to keep up those promises!
Like the second son, who said Yes…
… very often, we too become people who nod our heads in consent for anything and everything…
… but fail to live up to that YES!
The Lord says in Mt 7:21, “Not all who say Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he does the Will of My Father”
Therefore, the proposition is clear:
It is not pompous words that will grant life, but carrying out the Will of the Father!
It is not fancy talk that will confer true happiness, but practising the Will of the Father!
It is not flowery language that will accord blessings, but fulfilling the Will of the Father!
It is not only good news “proclaimed” but good news “practised“…
… that will win others to the glorious freedom of forgiveness of sins!
Yes, let us examine…
… and if needed, amend our lives:
Are we the one who only preaches?
…or can we also be the one who practises?
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE ACTS OF THE PENITENT – Satisfaction
The satisfaction that we make for our sins, however, is not so much ours as though it were not done through Jesus Christ.
We who can do nothing ourselves, as if just by ourselves, can do all things with the cooperation of “him who strengthens” us. >> Thus man has nothing of which to boast, but all our boasting is in Christ . . . in whom we make satisfaction by bringing forth “fruits that befit repentance.”These fruits have their efficacy from him, by him they are offered to the Father, and through him they are accepted by the Father. (CCC #1460)
Reflection Capsules 