“Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted...”

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Arvi Marie Sanchez Dacuba's Excellent Sunday Gospel Reflection

CL GOSPEL # 2 REFLECTION

“Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” Lazarus, a poverty-stricken individual had nothing valuable in his life. Deprived by wealth and the comfort of life; to wait and to hope for any remaining scraps of food the wealthy man could spare him was the only thing that Lazarus ever looked forward to. The wealthy man, however, despite his exuberance of fortune and luxuries never spared the agonizing Lazarus. Not too long, Death had befallen unto the both of them and Lazarus; the suffering man had gone into Heaven and to Hell went the wealthy man. Who’s the one suffering now, in the end?

In our modern society, wherein wealth and power seems to be of great importance, has lost the once simple and peaceful depiction of how a Christian community should be. Instead of being sensitive to one another’s needs, our own selfish desires seem to reign over our responsibility to our neighbours in dire need. It has always been for ourselves first before others. Wealth, power and extravagance are our ultimate desires, and most of us remain numb to the sufferings of others. That is a clear view of the weakening of the Christian’s sense of sin, and also an example of consumerism (examples of factors of social sins) is this how we should show God proper benevolence? 

In many ways or another, we are no different from the wealthy man. There have been many people in our lives whom we have most likely turned down for help. A simple alms from a beggar could have been ignored. Our parents, especially, who keep longing for our respect and obedience, have been deprived of what they deserved. Teachers who work so hard and sacrificed so much of their time for us may also have been deprived by the proper gratitude that they deserve. These people are no different from Lazarus who deserve and need our help, gratitude and respect. These are concrete examples in our modern world that we should take notice and live through with the guide of this gospel. 

In the end, it was suffering and regret the perforated the castigated soul of the wealthy man in Hell. Because of his blindness and insensitivity, he never got to help the ones in need and instead, he ended up being the one suffering. He couldn’t turn back time, and it was over for him. Would we want to loose all our chances, and wait until it’s too late? There are many lessons, not just one, which we can learn from this gospel. 

First and foremost, was for us to open our hearts and minds to the needs and feelings of others. Not only being aware, but for us to TAKE ACTION whenever and wherever a possible opportunity is given to us. There has been a term coined for the modern youth of today called “The Generation Z” wherein the youth is described as insensitive and cynical individuals; the total contrast of what the epitome of a good Christian should be. However, we can change that and it is not too late. We can always have the fundamental option, that is, to convert from bad to GOOD.

The gospel also teaches us humility. We must realized that the gifts and blessings we have given by God are NOT ours but of God’s. We must give back what is rightfully his, for if we don’t, that is already a depiction of greed. We do not take everything for ourselves. We must share them, whether it may be wealth, talents, skills, etc. As a part of fulfilling the church’s mission (to be fertile, to multiply and to subdue the earth) They must be put into service for the greater glory of God. That’s what we were made for, that’s what we were born for.