23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME C
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INCLUDE THE MIND!
Many people shy away from
involvement in religion because they want to be independent. And religion or
faith will make them mere followers, blindly obeying without understanding.
Actually this fear is not unwarranted, because so many people claim to have
faith but really do not understand what this faith really means for them.
The gospel today, Luke 14: 25-33,
destroys this idea of blind obedience and unthinking faith. Jesus tells us that
following him necessitates the active use of the brain, the mind, reasoning
itself. He likened faith in him to the serious job of planning to build
something important so that you won’t suffer the trap of backtracking once you
are in the middle of things. He gave as inspiration the work of a king who
strategizes how to win a battle or a negotiation with a powerful enemy.
Faith in the Lord involves the whole
of our lives. So many people are moved only by emotions. Some are prompted by needs or requests.
Some are even attached to their religion because of fear. The heart is
important. Our present situations are also vital. Pyschological and cultural
factors also enter into the scenario of faith. But we should not forget that
the mind must also be included. Of course, we may not understand everything at
once, or comprehend all totally in our earthly life, but the Lord gave us
reason to think, reflect, scrutinize and decide regarding our faith.
Do you understand your faith? Do
you know why you read the Bible, pray the Rosary, go to Mass or practice
devotions? More than just habits
or traditions, these are decisions we make because we know its
importance in our daily lives and for our eternal destiny.
Think about your faith in Jesus!
Ponder on it! Grow in understanding and appreciation of your relationship with
the Lord!
