How well do you put into practice what you know about God’s laws? - Daily Reflections October 6,2014

DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE

 

Early last year, the film version of the great musical, Les Miserables, regaled the whole country. Almost everyone who saw it was impressed, even moved to tears. Although not everyone immediately had the words to describe it, there was a dawning realization that the story really brought to the fore so many Catholic ideals, principles and modes of behavior. So many Catholic values were shown, including themes that have to do with doctrines as basic  as redemption, forgiveness, love for others, and for God Himself.

       I shed a bucket of tears, especially in the last scene, where Fantine and the Monsignor were welcoming Jean Valjean to the afterlife.

       But apparently, somebody who was an expert in the law, and who was an expert in enforcing it to the letter, was lagging behind. Inspector Javert simply could neither fathom nor appreciate fully why Jean Valjean spared his life when he had the chance to snuff it out, and how an ex-convict could be capable of so much goodness, so much love, and so much forgiveness.

       I cried for many reasons during the show, even if that was the fourth version that I have seen in a span of two decades. It was partly because I saw redemption being portrayed so realistically, as lived by individuals who, despite so much injustice and mistreatment, found it in their hearts to go on hoping, praying, forgiving, loving and caring.

       And all this was taking place without being given in too much to theory, to rhetorical questions, to discussions that were more proper in the classroom, and to hair-splitting definitions about who ought to be considered “neighbor.”

       Victor Hugo, the writer, despite his unfortunate clash with the authorities then, redeemed himself by coming up with a novel that portrayed the very same redemption that he experienced.

       The scholar of the law could very well stand in for us — at times given in to theory and rhetorics. But more important than theory is praxis. Hoc fac et vives. Do this and you will live! Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: How well do you put into practice what you know about God’s laws?

 

Lord, help me to be a shining example of Your love for Your people.