26 June, Monday — God Positioning System

Monday of Week 12 in Ordinary Time

Gn 12:1-9
Mt 17:1-5

So Abram went as the Lord told him…

My family gave up the car in 2015 because of the high cost of maintaining it. This has resulted in me becoming a bit rusty in navigating roads and thus increasing my reliance on the GPS to guide me. This is especially important since there have been many changes in the roads since I last driven. One of the things that I take for granted is that the GPS is ‘correct’ and will bring me to my destination. As those of us who drive can attest, sometimes the GPS is fallible and we do have to tap on our experience to decide which route is better. The readings of today remind us that Christians will need to follow the ‘God Positioning System’ in our lives, just as Abram did.

Abram had to give up his sense of familiarity to enter into a new land and go through the challenges of adapting to a new terrain. He had to literally leave his comfort zone and trust God to show him the way. I always admired Abram for his ability to trust God to do so. After all, it takes time for an individual to be able to move out of the comfort zone. I believe that we need to trust in Jesus to be able to do so as well; because sometimes, there are decisions in our lives which require us to trust in God.

Thankfully, not all of us have to make important decisions like this on a daily basis. What then, is our response to those who are making these important decisions? The Gospel of today reminds us of the need to not be judgmental of others. Everybody is going through some form of struggle in their lives. It is left to us to support them in their journey. It is easy for us to pass remarks and comments, but I believe that it is the Christian response of charity, understanding and love which is more important. We need to resist our own human side of our lives and, instead, allow Jesus to guide us towards identifying the appropriate response.

As we enter into a new work week, may we ask God the Holy Spirit to take ownership of our decisions. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to direct us to overcome our fears and to grow in His love and peace.     

(Today’s OXYGEN by Nicholas Chia)

Prayer: Lord, help us to realise that to listen to you is the best thing we could do.

Thanksgiving: We give thanks for all who show us the way which God desires of us.