33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Pro 31:10-13,19-20,30-31
1 Ths 5:1-6
Mt 25:14-30
You will not be expecting us to write anything to you…about ‘times and seasons’…
I recently returned from trips to South Korea and Australia. Apart from the lovely weather, what I appreciated about my time there was how people seem to be in much less of a rush than in Singapore.
Motorists were patient and gave way, people held doors open for us, and mealtimes didn’t seem hurried. These simple practices helped me relax and feel calmer as I went about my day.
Yet in Singapore, the tension and anxiety in the air is palpable. I feel it all around me, especially on the roads and at work. Maybe it’s the dense urban setting we live in. Or maybe it’s the sweltering heat and humidity. I don’t really know why there is such a vibe — but I do know that it affects our states of mind and our behaviour.
In today’s reading, we are called to reflect on God’s perfect timing and how we need not concern ourselves with the passage of time. God will come to us in our hour of need in good time. The life of Jesus also reflects this mindset. I cannot recall the bible describing a situation where Jesus is in a rush or a state of panic.
Instead, Jesus took time for retreats and always carried himself in a dignified and graceful way. Such a demeanor reflects his trust that God would always protect him and direct his paths. When we rush and are anxious, we are effectively saying that we want to take on more than we can manage and that the opportunities and resources made available to us are inadequate.
It took me a couple of days to settle into an easy-going flow during my holiday — I was worried about things at work and thought about all the personal administrative and domestic tasks that awaited me once I returned home. Likewise during my work trip to Australia, I was impatient with the pace of work there and only after a week did it dawn on me that we were just as, if not more, effective workers when we were well-rested and took time to really focus on what we were doing.
Having got home just a few days ago, I am struggling to keep hold of the serenity and ‘zen’-ness that I acquired during my travels. But I will continue to take small steps to not rush through my day. Savouring a cup of coffee, not working through lunch, going for a short walk after dinner, and giving way to others on the road are hopefully some ways that I can radiate the life of trust and gentleness that Jesus asks of us.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Gregory Mathew)
Prayer: We ask you dear Lord, to not let us be distraught over small mistakes and by the pressures of life in this fast-paced country we live in.
Thanksgiving: We are grateful for the opportunities you give us to enjoy the minutes and hours in each day. May we never lose sight of our goal to be more like you.
OXYGEN 
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