Saturday of week 2 in Ordinary Time, 1

Faces of mercy

Mark 3:20-21

It seems that this is one of the shortest gospels ever read in masses.  Jesus and his apostles didn't have to eat with so much crowd needing help and healing; and yet even their relatives accused him as going out of his mind.

The mercy of Jesus in this gospel is found in the following points:

First, thinking of others rather than the self

It is in ministering to others that we are ministered.  People being fed becomes our food.  People brought to life becomes our lives as well.

Second, mercy becomes dangerous

Mercy becomes dangerous because it doesn't conform to society's expectations.  Society would say, "survival of the fittest"; mercy would say, "sharing".  Others would say, "eye for an eye"; mercy would say, "forgive".  But note, as these are relatives of Jesus, Jesus would say, "But who are my relatives?  Those who do God's will are my mother, brothers, and sisters."

Third, mercy is still concrete as life itself

We need to offer our lives for mercy.  It can't be a concept.  We need to offer our time, talent, and treasure for mercy.  Mercy begets mercy.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ngayon isasama kita sa paraiso

Sinambit na ni Kristo ang ikalawang huling salita, "Ngayon isasama kita sa paraiso." Sinabi niya ito sa rurok ng kanyang paghihirap, sa panahong pati ang salaring nasa kanyang kaliwa'y tinutuya siya, "iligtas mo ang iyong sarili pati na kami." Sa krus, nakita pa rin ni Hesus ang dalisay na puso ng kanyang kapwa, "Hindi ka ba nahihiya sa iyong sinabi.  tayo ay nagkasala, ngunit wala siyang kasalanan." Handa na yung isang salarin na siya maparusahan.  Ang tanging kanyang nasambit na lamang ay, "Panginoon, alalahanin mo na lamang ako sa iyong kaharian." May dalawang uri ng pagtugon sa Panginoon.  Yung isa'y nanunuya, nang-iinsulto, sakim, makasarili, namimilit na siya'y iligtas at pagaanin ang buhay, Kahit ang iba'y naghihirap, siya'y hindi. Yaong isa nama'y humigingi ng tawad, mapagkumbaba.  Doon sasabihin ni Hesus, "Ngayon, isasama kita sa paraiso." Yaong isa, naniniwala sa paraisong nilikha ng Diyos noo
Read more

Beatitudes

Search "beatitudes" in the internet and you'll find this definition: a state of supreme happiness. I don't think that there is an event in our lives when we felt "supreme" or "utmost" happiness.  But Jesus tagged beatitudes to the meek and humble, the poor, sorrowing, and persecuted, and not to those who grew rich by luck or hard work, or to the powerful and influential. I think there is more more than outcasting the rich and the powerful and exulting the poor.  After all, who is the really rich and powerful in this world except those who are blessed in the sight of God. The beatitudes teach us a valuable lesson on choosing the real wealth, peace, and happiness.  For even in sorrowing, the Christian is consoled; even in pain the Christian feels peace.  Even in death, the Christian has life. Only God in Christ could give the Christian real and everlasting happiness.
Read more