But Jesus answered,
"Rather, how happy are those who hear
the word of God and obey it!"
LUKE 11: 28
Today's Gospel reading was a short one, from Luke 11: 27-28. The impact of this short passage, I will say is rather strong. It reminded me how 'cold' Jesus can be towards his disciples, or the surrounding peoples at times. It reminded me of occasions where Jesus could harshly rebuke, and correct others. For example when he said to Peter, "Get behind me Satan!" Sometimes Jesus could be forceful, "I say to you, get up and walk", Jesus commanded the lame man at the temple. Jesus can be carried away at times too, I remember the Bible recording of Jesus placing mud made out of his spittle and rubbing it onto the eyes of a blind person.
I see today's Gospel as a challenge from Jesus to look beyond; see with a far sighted vision.
This morning I was with my mum at the market, I was in my brown habit as usual and here comes a lady from church. She came up to me and she started talking- talked to me about the fact that she was in church yesterday, and a Nuncio was there. She went on and on and on! Deep down in my heart, I was already so eager to say good-bye to that lady within less than a minute of our conversation.
Right after I said, good-bye to that lady and rushed off; so eager to leave her behind, I remembered of my reflection at prayer time. I recalled about Jesus challenging me to look with far-sigthed visions. Something I always regret is the fact that I fall into sin, so often I only hold on to the teachings of Jesus among people that I am 'comfortable with'. So often I noticed this struggle between being myself among those I regard as friends and also with those that I regard as 'not so much my friends'.
Sometimes it is wonderful to be able to see with a far-sigthed vision; it makes life much easier. When a person is able to see beyond situations, beyond the physical of others, beyond the limitations of others...Things can be a little more easier.
This afternoon I made bread buns filled with butter. I was thinking about the correct english for the kind of bread I made. Can I call it bread with butter, or butter with bread?
Perhaps, the lesson from today's Gospel is it does not make any real difference...Afterall, my butter was soaked up by the bun and onto the baking tray. It became BREAD SOAKED WITH BUTTER...Thus, when I meet others I hope I can see with a far-sigthed vision and say that the person is my brother, or sister.