21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
26 August 2018
| Second reading Ephesians 5:21-32 |
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Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church, the body of which he is the Savior. Just as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives ought to be, in everything, to their husbands.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind-yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish. In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, because we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the church.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind-yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish. In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, because we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the church.
Many of the disciples of Jesus remarked, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.”
For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.” Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?”
For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.” Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?”
By Jessa Janelle Padilla
Who are we going to serve? To whom would we commit? These are the questions that we need to ask ourselves based on our readings for today.
In our current situation, most people opt to serve those who are in power in order to obtain a little power. They disregard their morality and dignity just to serve them. The term ‘yes-person’ is so much used nowadays. But is it worth it? Are they happy and fulfilled? I think no, because only by serving the Lord can grant us happiness and make us fulfilled.
Prayer
Who are we going to serve? To whom would we commit? These are the questions that we need to ask ourselves based on our readings for today.
In our current situation, most people opt to serve those who are in power in order to obtain a little power. They disregard their morality and dignity just to serve them. The term ‘yes-person’ is so much used nowadays. But is it worth it? Are they happy and fulfilled? I think no, because only by serving the Lord can grant us happiness and make us fulfilled.
In my own perspective, I am not
in favor of serving other gods other than our Savior Jesus Christ. I am not
fond serving those in power. I don’t want to be a yes-person in order to gain power and popularity. I don’t want to disregard my morality
and dignity to serve them. I am willing to serve those who are incapable and
powerless since they are the representation of God here on earth. They are the
ones who are most in need of our service. As a government employee, I took an oath
to serve the people and their welfare.
In terms of commitment, I am now
committed to serving the Church regardless of how busy my schedule is. I am
devoting my day-off to serve Him as long as He permits me to do so. He is my top priority and I am willing to
cancel my schedule when He calls me. Just like one Sunday afternoon, my
mother, my best friend, and I were hanging out in Ocean Park and I received a text
message from my co-lector that they are in need of my help since the one who is
scheduled to serve the last mass in the Cathedral is not available. I responded yes immediately since I believed that wherever I am or whatever I do, when He
calls me I must respond yes to Him.
In our Second reading for today
it reminds us especially those were joined by Him in marriage to be submissive to one another: to love and cherish each other as how God does to the Church. He reminds us
that the two persons that He bond through marriage will become one flesh.
Two persons as one just like Him and the Church. A great mystery that only
those with a deep faith believes. Once we commit ourselves to somebody, we
should be aware that we are being one with them.
In our Gospel reading, Jesus
asks His twelve disciples if they also want to leave Him just like the other
disciples who returned to their former way of life after hearing His words. If
Jesus would ask us the same question, what would be our response to Him? Are we
going to abandon Him or keep on following Him? Nowadays, some Christians are
abandoning the Church because of lack of faith, influence of peers or some
untoward incident such as the clerical sexual abuse and cover-ups in various parts of the world. Who would we blame
that such incident happened? Is it God or ourselves? As Christians we should
look after our fellow Christians and be responsible to keep their faith to
God burning in their hearts, leading them in the right path and continue
nourishing each other’s spiritual life. Let us not abandon each other so that we will all together serve, follow, and preach His words. Like Peter, let's affirm in our daily lives that Jesus alone has
the words of eternal life. Let our lives tell others that we have come to believe and are convinced that He is
the Holy One of God.
Lord, Jesus Christ, we thank You most sincerely on giving us the chance to serve You. Humble our hearts to serve those who are badly in need of our help. May You guide us in choosing whom we will commit and serve. And may we serve You with utmost loyalty and sincerity. United with the Blessed Virgin Mary we make this prayer. Amen.
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