The Gospel Is Not Imposed…
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.”Ps. 112
…it is only proposed. And if we can say this of the most sacred, of salvation itself, how much more must this be said of so many minor things that many try to impose on others. We should not go around demanding fruits, but taking care of roots, and respect that the fruits come in due time. Some trees will give more, others less, others nothing, but the farmer continues to do what he has to do, take care that the roots are well nourished and watered.
We should do the same with our children and with our neighbors: take care of the health of their souls, take care of their roots, clean the stones, thistles, bugs, etc. but many, instead, go around the world demanding fruits and changes from others, wanting to impose their decision on others.
I am not the one who should tell another what he should or should not do, because in his(her) heart he(she) already knows it. If he(she) doesn’t do it, it’s because he(she) doesn’t have enough motivation or strength, and I can’t give it to him(her). All our effort should be focused on connecting them with the source of energy, motivation and strength. He will not only tell them better than me what they should and shouldn’t do, but He will give them the motivation and strength they need.
If we do not understand this well, our life will be an endless ego fight, one against the ego of others, wanting to impose everything on each other, wanting to impose what they should or should not do, say or think. That would end in an unbearable war.
That is why we should not demand from others what they should do. Moralisms that help little, because I tell you what you already know in your conscience, but it is of little use if I do not connect you with the source of energy. Better focus on motivating and helping in their connection with the head, with the Good Shepherd, Christ.
“Only then can there be fruits and they will come in abundance.”Jn 15
Some celebrate the approval of a law; others kick their feet and demonstrate against it. The saying goes: even shoes do not fit by force. I do not consider it a victory that a law has been approved if half the population does not want it. Even if the legal and the illegal change, if the mentality does not change, we have not advanced. (This is applicable to the abortion law, access to weapons, drugs, homosexual marriage, etc.) Educating and teaching is better than imposing; but both are necessary.
If we don’t go to the root of the problem, the problem will not be solved. Like if you turn off the red light and you think it’s resolved, without wanting to know why that light came on because something was wrong, and then comes the fire, which can’t be avoided, even if you turn off the red light and think everything is fine. We must try to clean the mentality, the culture, and make good values be wanted. As long as this does not arrive, it will be of little use to achieve good laws if people continue looking for and wanting what is bad; We must try more to change the mentality.
WE ARE CALLED TO BE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, TO ILLUMINATE WITH WORDS AND WORKS, AND FOR THIS WE NEED TO BE CONNECTED TO IT. We are not faithful out of obligation, but out of the love that moves us to respect and to want to please God.
Readings for the Week
Monday: Gn 1:1-19; Ps 104:1-2a, 5-6, 10, 12, 24, 35c; Mk 6:53-56
Tuesday: Gn 1:20 — 2:4a; Ps 8:4-9; Mk 7:1-13
Wednesday: Gn 2:4b-9, 15-17; Ps 104:1-2a, 27-28, 29bc-30; Mk 7:14-23
Thursday: Gn 2:18-25; Ps 128:1-5; Mk 7:24-30
Friday: Gn 3:1-8; Ps 32:1-2, 5-7; Mk 7:31-37
Saturday: Gn 3:9-24; Ps 90:2-6, 12-13; Mk 8:1-10
Sunday: Sir 15:15-20; Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34; 1 Cor 2:6-10; Mt 5:17-37