By : Ivan Rodrigues – Bangalore – India
Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter
May 7, 2021
Acts 15:22-31
Ps 57:8-10, 12
John 15:12-17
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050721.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/2021-05-07
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another.”
Choosing is Commissioning , Commissioning is setting apart for a special task in the Kingdom of God. God has chosen every Baptized Christian and set him apart and commissioned them for a special purpose. This is called our calling our Vocation , some are called to build the family, some are called to become Clergy or Religious to serve the Church. In our own Vocation we have been given various gifts like musician, Cook, Tailor , Mason, Carpenter, Technician, Doctor, Engineer , preacher so on. When God chooses a person , he has been chosen and empowered for a special task. This task may not be extraordinary but simple like a Farmer or Laborer or it can be extra ordinary like a great Leader or Entrepreneur or a Professional.
At the end of our life all are paid equally whether he or she is a Laborer or a Leader. The work of our hand has been evaluated or examined on the basis of love. When I was writing an Essay , my Professor rejected it eleven times because he was not getting the Content he was looking for in the Essay, I was modifying it in style, structure, grammar , Vocabulary and various references but my Professor was looking for the real Content which was missing in the Essay. Our life is also examined on basis of love. How successful we may be in life but if we miss the content of love in our life then our entire life is a big waste in the Kingdom of God. We may gain big name in the Worldly Kingdom but we must gain name in love and charity. To gain in the Kingdom of God is to loose in the Kingdom of the World. Love is a product of self sacrifice in this World. A Mother looses her life for her Children and gains a family full of love. A director sacrifices his life for his staff and builds a Company of daily bread. A minister sacrifices his life for his Country and builds a Country of Sovereignty and integrity. There is no other short cut to gain love, self sacrifice is the only way of love.
When God chooses a person he also provides and equips the person with his Authority and Power. This requires faith in God and his power. The worry and fear take people away from God and his love. When we live a life as per our own understanding we make mistakes in life and fall in trouble. These troubles weary us and make us more vulnerable. It is better to let go our way of life to come out of all worries and troubles and let God drive our life as per his chosen way, then we will gain peace and harmony. Let us identify the troubles and worries of our life and make a decision to let go our chosen way of life whatever may be the material cost , let it go and Peace of Christ will come upon us .
Prayer : Lord I come to do your will Amen.
PRAYER REFLECTIONS 