Tuesday Thoughts

There were times in my life when I could make people move and make things happen. Those were heady days when I was given a place of honor at banquets, a seat of honor at conferences, greeted in public as ‘Mr. President Sir.’ People heeded my words and followed my instructions. Today, I drive around running errands; I take out the garbage; I keep house for my loved ones.

I do not miss the ‘good old day’. Neither am I disheartened at where I am now nor dissatisfied with what I am doing. I had my time and days of being first. Now, I am relishing and learning what it means to be last, even as i relish to the full what could be my last remaining days.

I certainly encountered God when I enjoyed the thrilling days of my youth. Now, I have more time to encounter Him more leisurely and in the simplicity and sometimes emptiness of my daily ordinary schedule. I do not hurry to get things done. I simply watch things unfolding and try to learn something new and extraordinary from the ordinary events of my daily life. I loved my life then: hectic, bustling, moving fast, almost everything a blur. I love my life now: gently flowing like a river, wondering how far away still the ocean is, watching the sceneries and people I pass by as I meander through the valley.

Life has been good. Life is good. I have tried and still trying to live an upright life and I trust that God will show me His saving power in the fullness of time.

R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
~ Psalm 50

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
“The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people’s shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’;
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Matthew 23:1-12