Daily Bible Reflections - July 21, 2012

PLOTS OF DESTRUCTION

 

Both readings today speak of plots. Micah rails against “those who plot evil” and “lie in bed planning mischief.” The Gospel alludes to sinister plots being hatched by Pharisees against the “upstart” preacher from Nazareth. Once more, we have proof that prophets do not have an easy time. Neither did Jesus, against whom the very people who needed Him, the very same people who could have benefited from His teachings, were the ones who cooked up evil plans against Him.

Last year, as the notorious Reproductive Health bill was being debated on and discussed, we saw how low certain people could get. When they ran out of logical arguments, they went for the jugular and went basely personal. They called bishops names. They did everything in the book and outside the book to discredit the Church. Some phony researcher, whose fruit of research was as shallow as her cheap intentions, spoke for the nthtime about the so-called “riches” and wealth of the Catholic Church. Some resurrected the issue of clergy abuse to insinuate the claim that, because the Church is guilty of it, ergo, she is not in a position to be telling people what is right or wrong (even if study after study has already established that only a minuscule percentage of clergy were actually guilty of what the media has sensationalized!).

It is not easy to be a Catholic in our days. But neither was it easy for the Founder. He was “bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,” for the sake of us all and our salvation. They plotted and planned the Lord’s destruction. They succeeded to a certain extent. They killed Him. Throughout history, there have been potentates and kings who plotted against the Church. “Delenda est ecclesia!”(The Church must be destroyed!) was their constant war cry. But the fact that you are reading something like this now ought to remind us: You cannot put a good man down, and Christ, the Lord, in His Church, still lives — and will reign forever. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SSP

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: With all the attacks against the Catholic Church, how do you stand firm in your faith? What helps you? How can you help others, too?

 

Lord Jesus, may I always remain attached to You, the One who can never be defeated and who will reign forever.