The seventy-two disciples returned
rejoicing and said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because
of your name.” Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the
sky.
Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions
and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless,
do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your
names are written in heaven.”
At that very moment he rejoiced in the
Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for
although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have
revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son
is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom
the Son wishes to reveal him.”
Turning to the disciples in private he
said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many
prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear
what you hear, but did not hear it.”
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Reflection:
A long time ago, there was a religion that
had a penchant for arrogantly showing its influence. They would boast that they
were the true religion and that nobody would go to heaven except their members.
Instead of attracting others to join them, they were shunned by those they
thought could be their future members. Eventually, this religion stopped
growing until it died a natural death.
What could truly attract people to embrace
a religion? It is certainly not arrogance, but childlike humility. Arrogance
repels and hardens hearts, while humility softens hearts and opens doors.
Humility is like a magnet that draws people in, winning their sympathy and
trust.
Let us ask ourselves: would we prefer to
belong to a religion that arrogantly flaunts its influence? Of course not!
Would we rather be close to an arrogant person or a humble one? Naturally, we
are drawn to the humble.
In the same way, we can bring more people
to our faith and become true fishers of men if we live in humility and become
breathing examples of Jesus’ humility. When we walk in His humility, our lives
silently preach louder than any words we could say.
The Lord does not need our pride to draw
others—He needs our humility. Will we allow ourselves to be living witnesses of
Christ’s humble love so that others may encounter Him through us? – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
2 comments:
Your reflections are great but the Sunday reflection always comes late, I recommend that the Sunday reflection should be published at least five days before Sunday.
Thanks and God bless you.
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