Fidelis Sermo | Trustworthy Saying

"Here is a trustworthy saying... " - 1 Timothy 3: 1

Today’s verse for reflection is a gentle reminder how amazing the Holy Bible is. Yes – the verse speaks of gentle instructions how to conduct oneself if one wants to be an overseer. But beyond the detailed instructions, it just speaks so much of how God has thought about everything. It’s just amazing how God concerns himself with every detail of our lives – not only of whether or not we go to church every Sunday and hear mass.

It reminded me of a concept I learned before – the concept of “Unity of Life”. It reminded me how we cannot compartmentalize God in one area and conduct ourselves differently in other areas of our lives. As Christians, we need to reflect Jesus Christ in how we conduct ourselves and most especially how we deal with others. 

I read somewhere that for some people, we are the only Bible they will ever read. In some modification of that thought, it might be worth to give it a thought whether other people see Jesus when they encounter us. It’s a good thought to meditate and contemplate on. Unity of Life is such a beautiful concept as to how we let Jesus in other areas of our lives, most especially in areas where other people can easily relate to. We just never know when another soul may need to see Jesus through us.

The verse today also reminded as how practical the Bible is, how it helps not just in our spiritual lives, but into our daily, practical lives as well. God has brought it to a level we can all relate to. This is the God that we have, a God that sees the big things and the small things. 

I will always be humbled by a God who concerns Himself with all the details of my life, for I will never know how I deserved this much attention. And as always – it always comes back to love. A love that transcends the supernatural and spills over to the practical, and I will always be thankful and in awe.

 

  

Reflection on 1 Timothy 3: 1-15 by Blessie Sto Tomas

(Listen to the Podcast here)

Venite ad me (Mt. 11:28)

When we are sick, we need to rest. After work, we want to relax. It's obvious and natural. We know this process very well. However, we sometimes forget that not only our body can be exhausted but also our soul. We pay attention and check the temperature of our body. But how to take care of our soul? How to know that our inner part is in need?

Jesus invites us to come to him and wants to help us. For sure we cannot live without him. Moreover, we are not able to understand ourselves without Christ properly. For that reason, we ought to be close to Jesus. We often labour and are overburdened. We look for the rest in the Holy Spirit. 

And Jesus does not teach us that we should give up. He does not tell us lies. On the contrary, he says: "Take your cross and follow me. Yes, you can. I will give you strength. On your own, you will probably fall down. But if you become humble and gentle in your heart, you will find rest for your soul".

When your soul is similar to Jesus' soul, you are the strongest. Your power does not come from you, but from your heavenly Father. From this moment, everything happens to be easy. 

You are a child of God. The beloved child who is always in God's hands. You are never alone. Jesus Christ lives in you and the Holy Spirit abides in you. So you are to praise the Lord, Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Only in him you will find resting place for your whole being - for your body and your soul. 

By Fr. Jozef Trzebuniak SVD.