Vigilate (Mt. 25:13)

There is a short illustration. Once, a priest asked some parishioners to become communion minister. Such a person shares holy communion in the church or at home for the sick and needy. They answered, “Father, we are still working. If we retire and then we will be active in the church. Later we will have plenty of time to serve people in the church and the elderly. We will pay attention to the weak and the sick. For now, we cannot.” They refused the request which was given by the priest. Then he said, "Are you sure you will still live until retirement to serve God and others?" They fell silent. In their hearts, they hoped that they would live a long life? No one answered with certainty because they knew that long life was in the hands of God. After this, there were some who received an offer from the priest.

Form this story above, we can learn not to wait in order to serve God and others. We shouldn't wait to do good for the needy. The reason is that we don't know how long we will live in this world. We should do good deeds at any time. 

After our death, we will not be asked how many things we have gathered while still alive. God will ask if we helped him when he was naked, thirsty, prisoner, sick, or weak. In Matthew 25:13, Jesus said, “…so stay awake, because you do not know either the day of the hour.”

We don't need to wait in order to do good. Look at the people around us, husbands, wives, children, parents, in-laws, grandchildren, confreres, those who live with us, those who are given by God to become our family members. May God strengthen us do good deeds wherever and whenever we are.

By Fr. Aris Mada, SVD.

Ora Patrem tuum (Mt. 6:6).

Trust is crucial in our life. We learn to trust from the first days on the earth. We trust if we are loved by parents. We trust if we are accepted by friends. We can trust in our superiors who support us rather than punish us. Similarly, we learn to trust in God. For sure our trust in the heavenly Father depends on our past experiences. 

Jesus Christ comes to the world as the beloved Son of the Father. During his life, he teaches his disciples to trust in him and as a result to trust in God. From Gospel, we get to know that it is a very long process to make disciples trust. Jesus shows his disciples how to pray not only using words but also doing deeds. His words are true. What Jesus says, he does. In this way day by day, month by month, year by year the apostles learn to trust in God, the Father. 

Jesus Christ was the best teacher of trust because he trusted himself. His prayer was a conversation with the Father, not a monologue. He spoke with his Father and he listened to him. In the New Testament, there are some answers which the Father gave to his Son. One of the well-known is: "You are my beloved Son".

If we really trust in such words, we are able to accept everything in our life. While praying, we are invited to listen. Maybe we talk too much and think that we know what is good for us. Maybe we forget to listen carefully. 

Let us stand before God as his beloved children. As humble servants who wait for God's words. Let us receive the word of God and fulfill them always with trust and love in the heart.   

By Jozef Trzebuniak SVD.