|
|
2010 Harvest: A HARVEST OF CONSOLIDATION
As we reflect on the above questions, in relation to spiritual life and human experience, we can identify some lessons for Christians from the meltdown: The World as a Community: God meant the world to be a community. The meltdown has exposed every nation: big and small, rich and poor, developed and undeveloped to risks, in varying degrees. None is immune from its effects. This has raised a general concern for solutions. Hence, the various meetings at various levels: national, regional, continental and intercontinental. This means that sharing and collaboration are divine imperatives. There is nothing like a self-contained life; absolutely independent of any other entity, both at individual and general levels. Security: Many people still cannot believe that their accumulated wealth (investments) which they thought would guarantee their security (economic and social) and happiness has crumbled like a pack of cards. For some, the shock became so much and unbearable, that they committed suicide. But any security built around wealth is false and cannot endure. Only God, the unchangeable can give true enduring security. The Illusion of Human Conquest and Progress: The so-called human progress can become overtly exaggerated. No doubt, human intelligence and ingenuity has advanced the world in ways in ways beyond imagination. But humans often become arrogant in their achievements, as if such are permanent, certain and perfect. The prevailing meltdown has once again demonstrated that ‘No Condition is Permanent.’ The seeming ‘Economic Empire’ built over the past decades crumbled within a couple of months. Distortion of Relationships: The meltdown has brought the distortion of many relationships, associations and acquaintances. Now, the reality of ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed’ has become more obvious, as many relationships are broken, compromised or abused. This means that such relationships are false, being founded more on personal material gains, than mutually shared enriching values. In the spirit of harvest thanksgiving, we should see wealth as the gifts of God, through the ‘work of human hands’ and the ‘fruit of the earth’. In our humble acceptance of the gifts, we thank God and become custodians who apply such to the glory of God by service to humanity. When such gifts (wealth) wither away, we fall back on the great reservoir of spiritual treasure we have accumulated and say like Job: “I was born with nothing, and I will die with nothing. The Lord gave, and now he has taken away. May His name be praised.” (Job 1:21) This is the response of a heart dedicated to God, in the moment of economic meltdown. A ‘harvest of dedication’ will therefore focus our attention on God once more, as the origin and giver of every good thing. Hence, our ultimate desire should be to possess Him and be fully dedicated to Him over and above wealth and any material thing. During the various celebrations in the harvest season, we shall explore the theme to enrich us spiritually to enable us to bear the pains of the economic meltdown with faith, hope and charity. Help to Sow; Join to Harvest. |
TODAYWednesday, February 22, 2012
Today's Reading ST. TURIBIUS OF MONGROVEJO, B.(Opt. Mem) Liturgical Colour:Violet Reading 1 Jer 18:18-20 Ps 30:5-6. 14-16.(R.v.17); Accl Jn 8:12 Gosp Mt 20:17-28 THIS WEEK UPCOMINGDIRECTIONSCONTACT | ||
Sunday, 6th June 2010, we formally inaugurated the Harvest Season. Among the ancient people of God (Jews), harvest was a great spiritual activity with which they not only offered gifts to God, but also purified and reconciled themselves with Him. It was indeed a form of annual re-dedication to God. We, the new people of God should rediscover this spiritual character of harvest. For this reason, we chose as our theme: A Harvest of Dedication. Our focus as we celebrate with this theme is on the prevailing global economic meltdown. How are we, as Christians, responding to the pains of the economic-meltdown? Are we miserable, frustrated or contemplating suicide, as some people in certain parts of the world? Did our faith and spirituality prepare us to withstand the shocks? Until the melt-down, what has been our attitude to wealth and material possessions? While the melt-down itself is not within our control, how the pains affect us is very much within our control, depending on the focus of one’s faith and spiritual life.