17 March, Friday — Love animating all our actions

Friday of the 3rd Week of Lent

Hos 14:2-10
Mk 12:28-34

“You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

There was once an intense discussion between a parent and a child which required me to mediate. The issue was over the lack of understanding of the child’s degree of stress faced in school. The parent was unwilling to accept that the child was nearing a mental breakdown. There was clearly a deviation from theory and practice. This incident came to mind as I was preparing for this reflection. The actions of how the individual behaved are very different from what we are called to do. This often may result in outcomes which we often struggle with.

The scribe knew the answer to Jesus; in fact he would have memorised it from his younger days. Yet the ability to recall may not translate to action. The importance of how love should animate all our actions needs to be reflected in our lives. The desire to always display our actions or demonstrate heroism in our daily lives needs to be re-examined to see if this is driven by love, or self-interest. The love we show needs to be rooted in Jesus — who is love incarnate. I have learnt that Christianity is a religion of action — action driven by the desire to share the love of God made Man. This means that in the emails we type, in the conversations we have, in the people whom we walk by and the seemingly ‘mundane’ tasks we encounter in our lives, we radiate God in these actions.

The prophet Hosea reminds us that “the ways of the Lord are straight, and virtuous men walk in them, but sinners stumble.” I will be the first to admit that it is difficult for me to follow the way of the Lord; and it would have been made more challenging if not for friends and companions in my life. These are friends who help me keep on the straight and narrow — to remind me that with their presence, life is much more enjoyable and meaningful.

Brothers and sisters, the journey towards heaven is not an individual effort, but one which is done together, and as a group. May the good Lord bless us on this journey together.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Nicholas Chia)

Prayer: Jesus Lord, I surrender to you my weaknesses. Help my unfaithfulness.

Thanksgiving: We give thanks for all who point us towards Jesus.