Do As He Commands
Once, a not-so-good-looking man visited a photographer known to be very good in his trade. He had his picture taken and instructed the photographer to make him look good. After the session, the photographer gave him his portrait and true enough it was a very beautiful picture. He proudly showed it to his friend. After looking at the picture, his friend exclaimed, “You look so handsome in this photo, it doesn’t look like you!”
Isn’t it true that sometimes we can say beautiful things in our prayers to the Lord yet our actions show the reverse? So much so that when the Lord hears our words and compares it with our actions, He would say, “What you said is very beautiful... It doesn’t seem like you.”
In the Gospel today, Jesus admonishes His disciples to live out concretely their intentions of loving Him. How? By living out His commandments. This is a continuous challenge of the Easter season. As I sit here writing out this reflection, I feel the weight of this Christian obligation. I remember once reading, “The Word was made flesh, not ink.” What I type here will soon be printed in ink. People will read these reflections. For me, it is a continuous summon not to confine my personal discipleship to the beautiful words I’m punching on my computer keyboards.
Today, express your desire of loving the Lord. Put flesh to the words you read printed in ink. Let us make sure that when the Lord listens to our beautiful words and compares them with our actions, He will not say, “You say so many beautiful things, they don’t seem like you.” Fr. Joel Jason
REFLECTION QUESTION: Christian discipleship is inseparable from obedience. Do you follow only those commands which do not exact much from you?
Lord Jesus, I believe in Your wisdom and love. Your commands do not enslave. Banish from my heart any fear of Your commandments and replace it with trust and confidence.
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