21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME A
TRUSTED
The first reading (Is 22) mentions a name we barely know: Eliakim. He was to inherit the job of Shebna (another who’s that?) as master of the palace.
It seems that the Lord saw something in Eliakim that he decided to trust him and give him a powerful position and great influence in the palace of the king: when he opens, no one shall shut; when he shuts, no one shall open.
Because of this trust, Eliakim was able to accomplish great things for the Lord and for the nation.
I know a friend who used to work as an office assistant to an old foreigner businessman living in Manila. The businessman noticed my friend’s loyalty and sincerity in serving him.
When he retired, and having no family, he gave to my friend a big responsibility in his business, as well as his trade secrets. My friend’s life was never the same again, as he continued to succeed in almost everything he laid his hands on.
We always say that God is faithful even if we do not realize how what this faithfulness entails or how this faithfulness can change our lives.
Because God is faithful, he is a trusting God. He is not a God of doubts. He doesn’t look at us and say: “maybe he cannot do this; I’m sure she’s incapable; oh, this challenge is too big for him.”
Instead, part of God’s faithfulness is recognizing the value, the strength, the potential, and the good each of us can do. Yes, though we are weak and imperfect, God decides to trust that we can do great things for him, for others, for ourselves.
The Gospel today (Mt. 16) illustrates this even further. Who would ever think of making a fisherman a fisher or men? Who would ever trust an impulsive man like Peter lead the band of disciples and later on, the church Jesus was founding on earth? Who would trust the words of Peter who is firm one time and wavers at another?
Only Jesus would do that! He saw something in Peter. He heard his profession of faith and he believed his sincerity of heart. Peter was not the best, there were other disciples with better qualities and superior talents.
But given the chance, he knew that Peter would be faithful all his life; that Peter would be willing to live and die for Jesus and for the flock entrusted to him. That is why Peter, we believe is the first pope.
The readings clearly remind us of that great gift to the church today, which is the office of Peter, the role now played by the pope in Rome. Just as Jesus trusted and loved Peter his friend, we too trust and love the pope.
We are reminded too that each one of us receives Jesus’ trust. Whatever role we play in life, whatever task we do everyday, whatever responsibility we handle in the family or society – big or small – the Lord is the first to trust us and encourage us to do our best.
Let us pray that we will be worthy of the Lord’s trust, that we will do as he expects of us, that we like Peter will express our love and commitment to Jesus as we silently and faithfully do our part in making the world better, cleaner, happier.
(Please share with a friend)
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