How faithful are you to God’s commandments? - Daily Reflections February 16,2014

DEAL OR NO DEAL

 

Once I asked the churchgoers who among them has no enemy. A stern-looking lady raised her hand and stood up. I asked, “You don’t have enemies?” Without batting an eyelash she said, “None!” Knowing her to be unfriendly, I added, “But you don’t have friends either!” She responded hesitantly, “Yeah, right.”

       The Lord in the Gospel invites us to take the extra mile in fulfilling thelaws. We cannot profess that we love God but remain indifferent to other people. We cannot claim to be good to others but not love and obey God. It’s not enough to follow the law to the letter. God asks for more. Jesus’ standard of morality is uncompromising and consistent. Adulterers are not only those who commit illicit relationships with the spouse of another. Jesus says anyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery in his heart. For Jesus, it’s not enough that one avoids the sins as taught in the commandments; we need to be cautious in falling into similar sins which we most often think are but natural and human.

       Keeping God’s commandments means putting order into one’s life. One becomes consistent in doing what ought to be done and abhoring what should be avoided. Beyond that, we complement obedience to God by going beyond what is expected of us. God challenges us to make a definitive stand. If you’re good, then be better and do more.

       I have accompanied Ai Ai delas Alas twice to the game show, Deal or No Deal. It is a nerve-wracking game show, consuming and mind-blowing. Every number chosen from the attache cases brings out a surprise. But after the Banker decides on the money at stake, one has to bravely choose between dealing or not, giving in or being firm.

       Our Christian faith and life is like the said game show: “Let your yes mean yes and your no mean no. Anything more is from the evil one.” May we always hack a deal successfully with the Lord! Fr. Erick Y. Santos, OFS

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: How faithful are you to God’s commandments?

 

Lord Jesus, make me choose and decide on things as You would.