For who can learn the counsel of God?
Or who can discern what the Lord wills?
For the reasoning of mortals is worthless,
and our designs are likely to fail;
for a perishable body weighs down the soul,
and this earthy tent burdens the thoughtful mind.
We can hardly guess at what is on earth,
and what is at hand we find with labour;
but who has traced out what is in the heavens?
Who has learned your counsel,
unless you have given wisdom
and sent your holy spirit from on high?
And thus the paths of those on earth were set right,
and people were taught what pleases you,
and were saved by wisdom.”
Second reading Philemon 9-10, 12-17
Or who can discern what the Lord wills?
For the reasoning of mortals is worthless,
and our designs are likely to fail;
for a perishable body weighs down the soul,
and this earthy tent burdens the thoughtful mind.
We can hardly guess at what is on earth,
and what is at hand we find with labour;
but who has traced out what is in the heavens?
Who has learned your counsel,
unless you have given wisdom
and sent your holy spirit from on high?
And thus the paths of those on earth were set right,
and people were taught what pleases you,
and were saved by wisdom.”
Second reading Philemon 9-10, 12-17
I would rather appeal to you (Philemon) on the basis of love-and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced.
Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother-especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother-especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
Large crowds were traveling with Jesus; and he turned and said to them “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’
Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’
Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.
Reflection
By Benj Santiago
“So therefore, whoever of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”
This second Sunday of September reminds me of St. Ignatius of Loyola, who is my inspiration for detachment from everything. We also remember Mama Mary whose birthday we celebrate today. Remember how she humbly accepted God's plan for her to become His Mother? She is a perfect example of complete detachment!
The world teaches us to be competitive, to acquire things, to accumulate wealth and possessions. We fight for position, power and control. I admit that I had been in this pathway for many years.
I believe that there is nothing wrong to be wealthy, or powerful. God wants us to be rich and prosperous. But, we must be for willing to let go and use our wealth to help people in need. We must learn how to detach ourselves from our possessions, power, and position, and even be detached from our own family to be able to follow Jesus!
This second Sunday of September reminds me of St. Ignatius of Loyola, who is my inspiration for detachment from everything. We also remember Mama Mary whose birthday we celebrate today. Remember how she humbly accepted God's plan for her to become His Mother? She is a perfect example of complete detachment!
The world teaches us to be competitive, to acquire things, to accumulate wealth and possessions. We fight for position, power and control. I admit that I had been in this pathway for many years.
I believe that there is nothing wrong to be wealthy, or powerful. God wants us to be rich and prosperous. But, we must be for willing to let go and use our wealth to help people in need. We must learn how to detach ourselves from our possessions, power, and position, and even be detached from our own family to be able to follow Jesus!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for reminding us today how to be your disciple. We pray that we continue to love God above all. We pray that we be detached from all our possessions, power , and position. This we ask in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Tell us what you feel...