REACHING THE GOAL

 

REACHING THE GOAL

Last year, the iconic symbol of Christian culture and civilization, and a towering representation of the faith of the Church’s firstborn daughter, France, caught fire. Notre Dame Cathedral was in danger of being totally engulfed by flames and razed to the ground. Thankfully, it has withstood the ravages of fire and although damage to the roof, attic, and spire was massive, it remains standing to this day.

The usual hordes of anti-Christians and anti-Catholics were in apparent jubilation. The untold number of faithful and loyal believers, some of whom stood vigil praying and singing songs, saw not plain and simple destruction. But, on account of the same faith, they saw more—much more than flames eating up the roof and attic of the representation of their faith, as well as centuries and centuries of Christian culture and civilization.

They saw a rousing wake-up call to faith—faith that was being eaten up by the far worse flames of secularism and materialism that now threaten the spiritual edifice of faith, and a culture elevated by the best that humanity can ever hope to aspire for, and the loftiness of grace from above.

In the Gospel story today, all of a sudden, some Pharisees appear to be concerned for the Lord: “Leave this place. Herod seeks to kill you.” Of course, the rest of the Gospel reports do not support that seeming change of heart, for Pharisees always represented those who were always against the prophets and Jesus. It was definitely not a caring statement but one of utter rejection.

The whole educated world mourned the unexpected massive damages to Notre Dame, including non-Christians. They understood that the temple stood not just for Christian faith but the best of European—and human—culture.

But for the man or woman of faith, the sad event spoke about the same rejection that the liberal post-modern, post-Christian, and materialistic world had been very busy building as an edifice to godlessness and faithlessness.

Today, in the face of rejection, the Lord speaks about how “on the third day,” He would “reach His goal.” What is our response to this? Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

---------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS ----------

How do you handle rejection? Does it stop you from pursuing your goal?

Grant me Your grace, O Lord, to be faithful to You even as the whole world rejects You. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ___________________________