Friday, February 25, 2011

Sermon Thoughts OT A - Mt 6, 24-34


"No man can serve two masters”, hearing this statement perhaps many of us, especially the young people will laugh at it.
Our youth may say so:
"My God (or rather dear Father), we live in a time of „multitasking".
Right now we can perform several tasks simultaneously.
Not only our electronic equipments, but we too are able for that.”
So, Jesus is wrong? I think not.
Because, Jesus relates here not about our technical capabilities.
Jesus asserts you cannot simultaneously serve God and Mammon.
Well just fitting to our present use of language, we can say:
“one can not simultaneously follow two totally different goals.”
One must follow either good or bad.
But we know people who live “divided”.
And in the end they show the correct position of their lives.
An example from the literature:
"You too, Brutus?" A well-known verse by the famous Shakespeare. This question occurs during Caesar's assassination directed at Marcus Brutus. The question has another variation "Even you, my child?" then after a rumour, Brutus was Caesar's son. Brutus lived like a son of the emperor, but in fact he was not trustworthy.
"The path itself is the goal," said Confucius. Our way leads us to the destination. When it is good, then we reach to a good goal.
If Jesus reminds us of service at 2 different Lords, he asks us to trust in God, in the good. A permanent trust, that remains God as our goal.
Apostle Paul says the same in the 2nd Reading to the Corinthians.
“Thus should one regard us : as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Now it is of course required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.”
Yes we are Stewards, of divine secrets. This is the firm call to us. No matter what happens, one should not leave God.
This is somewhat difficult for us since we are humans and are not perfect in being.
There are chances for good and evil in us.
Still then, God himself is a good example of this trust.
He says, “Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.”
We have heard the first reading.
Yes, Jesus gives us this trust of God.
Of course there is always the key question:
Whom can I trust?
What should I look for?
Then, many people in the world are unsure of their life.
There 2 options for us, says Jesus.
You can search for everything of that body needs:
Food and drink, fine clothes and jewellery and more...
Or follow the inner desires for spiritual good.
Live for remaining values or passing things.
Is Jesus demonizing the world and its possibilities?
Earlier we used to think and teach so.
But Jesus is only against people, who place the secular way more than God. Jesus will be happy only if we use the opportunities of the world for the good: for the sake of man and God.
“Seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.”
Our path should lead to God. His kingdom is our goal.
Let us act in his love.
Let us use our skills and all the gifts of the earth for the Glory of God.
May God help us. Amen!
-
Fr Thomas Kalathil

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