From the Pastor to His People

10-01-2023Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

Growing up with three brothers, family chores were divided to make things easier and faster. My Mom runs the household like a well oiled machine. Sometimes, Mom would ask a brother to do a task before going to work. Usually, she would entrust it to the older brothers, but we were young, and at times, would not get any commitment from them, so she would then pass it on to me I would complain by saying if my older siblings would not do it, why would I? But before Mom leaves would remind us that she would tell Dad that nobody wanted to obey her. Seldom would Dad discipline us, only when we disrespect or disobey Mom or our elders. Afraid of being grounded, though I said no initially, I do it anyway for my elder brothers. Besides, our youngest is too young to do it.

In the Gospel, we hear of two sons and how they responded to the father. The first one said no but ended up following the command. While the second said yes but did not go. There are numerous situations in our lives when we initially say YES to someone, but then, for reasons beyond our control, sometimes, we have to deny the request. The key probably is not to promise if we are not sure. We can always say; I will try my best. The first son in the Gospel did not promise but eventually did it. The younger son promised but had no intention of going. Jesus asked His disciples who did the father’s will, obviously, the first son. Jesus wants us to be true to our promise to do His will. Remember, the Lord sees our hearts and deeds more than our words.

Jesus came to do the Will of the Father. His identity and mission; doing the Will of the Father. When the Lord was at Gethsemane, He realized that the hour had come and prayed; Take this cup of suffering away from me, yet not my will, but Thy will be DONE. (Mk. 14,36) When the going gets rough, man tends to doubt or question the Divine Will. Is this really what God wants from me? The Gospel tells us that God has a master plan, and we need to broaden our horizons or see the bigger picture. Jesus teaches us that there is a God who has a master plan, and we are supposed to do our part. Disciples must listen, accept, understand, obey, and carry God’s will and plan.

In Scripture, there are many reluctant prophets. The most famous is probably Jonah. God called him to preach to the people of Nineveh, but he ran away from the Lord and headed to Tarshish. Moses got scared to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He said: Lord, who am I to go to Pharoah and ask him to free the people of God? But He eventually led God’s people out of Egypt. Jeremiah says to God: I do not know how to speak; I am only a child. God assured him: Do not be afraid; I will be with you. In the New Testament, St. Paul had many doubts about becoming the apostle to the Gentiles for the shame he felt persecuting the early Christians. When he started preaching in Jerusalem, some Jews threatened his life. Thus, for his safety, the other apostles sent him to Tarsus. In the end, Moses, Jeremiah, Jonah, and Paul became great men of faith. Somehow, grace always prevailed. The story of most saints attests that there is no sinner without a future and no saint without a past.

There are people who advertise their every good deed to win public esteem and opinion. But the admirable ones are those who do so many good deeds, quietly and in secret, without any thought of public approval who seek only to do God’s will and to please Him. Life is not all about us but all about God. The road less traveled is the road we all should be heading. As long as life is all about us, or we, and ourselves, no authentic living and loving will happen. I always believe that humility is the key; there is something or someone greater than ourselves. Have the courage to change to see what God sees and love what He loves in others and in us.

Remember that action speaks louder than words or that what matters most is not what we said but what we did. Keep going, keep believing, and keep praying that we go beyond just being talkers but doers and not takers but givers.