REJOICING RIGHTLY

 

REJOICING RIGHTLY

Don’t we all do it? Aren’t we all guilty of the same? We rejoice over a lot of achievements. We are happy when we are done with school and march down the aisle during graduations. We take pride in our little and big successes. We want to leave an impression of our hands in Hollywood like all the rich and the famous showbusiness people did—and still do. Who among us does not want to finally have that viral video or post in social media? Who among us have not given in to our own brand of self-serving “praise releases?”

Well, no doubt the disciples did. They were counting the laurels that should have adorned their heads: submissive demons, Satan falling down like a lightning bolt from the sky, etc. I am sure the list was longer, exactly like the way we do our own growing list, never mind if people agree with us or just nod politely during our impromptu praise conference.

But in today’s Gospel passage, the Lord was not in the mood for political correctness. Political correctness was never the language of authentic prophets. It simply made people comfortable with their imagined truths or downright lies. It was never the favorite ruse of anyone who simply talks too much while saying nothing of worth; of one who, instead of telling it like it is, tells people what they want to hear.

The Lord had good news up His sleeves. And good news is neither futile flattery nor is it designed to leave people complacent in their false beliefs. It is not leaving people where they are. It is lifting them up and calling them to go up higher. All this translates into not merely rightly rejoicing over petty successes, but rejoicing rightly over things that really matter, successful or not.

Am I preaching to myself? Yes, for I, too, am guilty of remaining on the surface level of petty successes and often missing the God who enables me to succeed. Let us rejoice rightly and acknowledge what authentic success is: “Blessed are the eyes that see.” Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

----------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS ----------

Do you tend to post every success and achievement on social media? How do you feel when people praise you?

Dearest Lord, help me to see You in every little success or achievement that I have and to glorify Your name, not mine. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ___________________________