How can you begin to see the world through the eyes of a loving God? Do you believe that He is greater than the sum of all our fears? - Daily Reflections July 28,2015

THE CRITERION FOR DISCERNMENT

 

Wheat and weeds in their early stages can look much alike. Sometimes what is seen as wheat are actually weeds; what is seen as weeds are wheat.

       The evil one can pretend to be good. Evil can present itself as an angel of light. Lucifer means light. Evil can enter even inside the church. He can dance even in front of the Blessed Sacrament. He can be one among us and participate in our social action programs and works of service. He can imitate even the voice of God. The weeds can pretend to be wheat.

       On the other hand, there are times when what we consider wheat are weeds. Evil can be disguised as good. It takes a lot of discernment to identify the wheat from the weeds, the good from evil.

       Many have quoted the Scriptures and heard voices in silence, but only a few have found their way to God. We need to open our hearts to the will of God. How do we know if our decision is in accordance with God’s will? Archbishop Socrates Villegas said, “For us to know the will of God, we need to ask the following questions: Are you happy with your decision? Are you at peace with your decision? Is there a cross in your decision? Without the cross, that is not the will of God. The very criterion for discernment is love, because only God is love.”

       The difficulty of distinguishing the wheat from the weeds brings to us the truth that we are not the final judge. Justice rests in God alone. In spite of the difficulty to identify the wheat and weeds, we need to hold on to the truth that evil has no power over the good. The land where the wheat is planted is owned by God, not by the devil. He sowed good seed in His field. In His perfect time, all evil and sin will be eradicated. In His perfect time, the good will triumph over evil. Everything is owned by our good God. We were created for God, not for evil. Our power comes from God. Our power is love. Fr. Alex Balatbat

                                                                                          

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How can you begin to see the world through the eyes of a loving God? Do you believe that He is greater than the sum of all our fears?

 

We profess our faith. I believe in God…