Encouragement
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The first will be last and the last will be first.
Every form of work deserves respect. No task in life however menial is unimportant or insignificant.
Those who work behind the scenes have the most difficult task of putting the act together, directing, guiding, teaching and training the entire cast. Their names may never be announced and they are not the conspicuous members but nevertheless, vital members.
We all know that in a cricket team, the last batsman is called on to the field to give both his best performance and to also save the team specially if it is a nail biting finish, then his role becomes the most important one.
Similarly, when the twelve apostles were intensely active in their Christian mission after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they decided to appoint another twelfth apostle to take the place of Judas. They decided to choose from one of the men who was with Jesus during his ministry. Two men were considered, Barsabbas and Matthias. Lots were drawn after offering prayers to the Lord to help them choose a capable apostle and Matthias was selected. He went on to actively preach the Gospel and is also a martyr.
In another instance the Apostles realised that they needed to elect men to look after the causes of the widow and the poor. So a special team was selected for this purpose as it became difficult for the apostles to both preach and handle the social issues of the people.
The women of Jerusalem always travelled with Jesus and his apostles taking care of their needs of cooking and providing for them. They were all important in their own way.
Later we see how Aquila and Priscilla, a married couple in the tent making business risked their lives for St. Paul and actively supported his ministry in opening their home for church meetings and was thus a great help to the community of believers.
They were martyred together and are canonised saints in the church today,
The jailer who washed the wounds of Paul and his companions after the earthquake struck in the jail and seeing that Paul and the others did not escape, this jailer took Paul home and after tending to his wounds, he himself and his family were baptized in the name of Jesus. For he realised that those who believed in Jesus, would be saved, they and their household.
If we look at the society around us, those who do the task of collecting the garbage, sweeping the streets, the watchman who guards us day and night, their jobs are not menial but perhaps more greater than others as they do a collective and challenging work which many would not be willing to do.
Cleaning the drains, underground mine work which is risky. Any form of work is to be saluted. Even the home maker who works round the clock for her family with no day of rest. Many are not appreciated but God sees the heart and hard work of every living creature.
Jesus once remarked that the outcasts and tax collectors will be the first to enter the kingdom of heaven because they believed in the good news and repented. Jesus further went on to say that the least will be called the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
When Veronica wiped the face of Jesus, her simple act became a historical act which is remembered till date because in wiping the grime and blood from Jesus' face, she did a great and noble deed to aid Jesus as he staggered with his cross. It was a pure act of love.
When the beggar Lazarus who used to eat the crumbs that fell from the king's table died, he was carried straight into heaven to the bosom of Abraham. His suffering had ended on earth and paradise awaited him. The king on the other hand though he did not prevent Lazarus from eating the scraps of food that fell from his table suffered in Hades because of his indifference towards Lazarus. He had the means to help the beggar and give him a decent life but failed to do and preferred to remain static.
Today the world is still indifferent to the plight of others, to the suffering, hardship, wars and atrocities that plunder the earth.
They seem to have their own inner borders which they do not want to cross over to help others.
In the time of Jesus, the Gentiles were considered as outcasts and in the incident of the Samaritan woman we specifically observe how she came to draw water from the well at noon time when it was extremely hot. As in those days, when the Jewish women who used to draw water from the well in the mornings from Jacob's well, would not allow the Gentiles to use the well along with them at their timing. Jesus purposely waited for the woman at the well during noon and we all know what a beautiful experience she had of the living waters of life which she ran to tell her whole community.
St. Paul clearly stated in his letter to the Romans (3:29); "Is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles too." Jesus came to save everyone including the Gentiles.
St. Paul also summed it up in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 that the body has many parts and each has a different function but every part of the body is essential and make up the whole body. Similarly, with the body of Christ, some are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves and some are free but we all have been baptized into one body by one Spirit and we share the same Spirit. All of us together are Christ's body, and each of us is a part of it.
Our individual contribution and services count towards the entire community of people working for God. Whether it is to arrange the benches, distribute the pamphlets, proclaim the Word of God, be an Eucharistic minister or sing in the choir. Every service counts. The Church is our home and our love for our home should show through our actions whether big or small.
We do not need to be majestic kings or high powered representatives, we can do great things for Christ with our humble and simple identity just as so many missionaries are doing a great global work in evangelizing for Jesus.
Our little light can shine in the darkness as one candle can light up a thousand candles as we just did at Easter. From the Easter candle we light our hearts and proclaim Christ Risen, Christ the light!
Maria Franco
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