We simply forget that we are chosen by God, and the purpose of our existence is to know, to love and to serve Him. We continue with our daily lives, but are we serious about our commitment to work and bring our spirituality to our workplace and be conscious of our mission in life? Today’s first reading emphasizes that our focus needs to be on this undertaking to improve our relationship with God and others.
According to the Ephesians 1:11, St. Paul writes, “In Christ we were chosen… so that we might exist for the praise of his glory.” Through this reading, I need to be reminded that God is explicitly telling me that He has plans for me and for you as well. For those whose hearts have been disrupted by evil in this world, it causes them to despair. It is better to be confident and be assured that He labors on our behalf.
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus tells those gathered to “Beware of the leaven, the hypocrisy – of the Pharisees.” Why does he call the Pharisees’ hypocrisy leaven? I would like to say that it is because the hypocrisy of the Pharisees was spreading just like a virus, affecting the people they served. What they were preaching was entirely different from what they were actually doing.
Jesus also uttered these words, “There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.” (Lk 12:2) Thus, whatever we do in darkness, it will be revealed in light. What we have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the rooftops. It means that what we think is secret will surely come out and be known, for the truth will eventually be revealed.
Now we have the power to make a choice. This gospel will help us realize that we need to deal with it now. Our attention must be checked immediately and shifted to the right moral compass.
Everything must be brought to light to be able to settle our fears, anxieties, and inadequacies because God is holding us tightly with His loving hands.
Staying connected to our Catholic Faith becomes a choice. Many people blame their parents for not absorbing or learning much about the faith. Well, religion is basically one’s choice to commit to the loving God and to the Church. My only advice, before making a wrong decision to give up your Catholic Faith, is to be sure you know enough about it, rather than transferring to something else without knowledge of it at all, because you’ll have no comparison to begin with. We make conscious choices for professing one’s faith. It has to be practiced with sincerity of the heart and some personal sacrifice.
God bless you.
Fr. Arlon, osa