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Theo Tigno•
3/5/2012 12:46 pm
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Tuesday in the Second Week of Lent |
Matthew 23: 1-12
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.' As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
Dawg's Thought:
Today's prayer intention - for those who are recovering from a sickness.
There are a lot of incentive-based systems in this world. A friend of mine works for a large corporation and he tells me that they receive a quarterly bonus if they meet their goals. In the news recently is a football coach who has come under media scrutiny for offering "incentives" if they could injure a player and take him out of the game.
I have received yearly bonuses at the some of the companies I have worked for. Throughout the year it is easy to forget about the bonus ... until December comes around. I wonder if that's the reason for there being a more "immediate" reward as the prior examples have shown.
Yet, when it comes to Our Lord, are we seeking a reward or are we seeking Him?
We know that we seek a God and His ways.
In a recent talk I gave, I drew inspiration on a quote from Blessed Mother Teresa: "God has not called me to be successful; He has called me to be faithful." If we want an incentive to our daily lives, it is easy to look for some financial gift or a word of affirmation. Yet, what happens when neither comes? Can we accept that faithfulness is the gift itself? Can we accept that at the end of the day that the gift of being faithful is a reward?
It takes humility to be faithful, and in humility may we come to know Our Lord and His ways so that He may be exalted. As He is exalted, if we truly believe that we are in union with Him, aren't we exalted as well? Take care and God Bless.
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