Posted by The WORD in other words (2018) by Brother Romy Abulad SVD – Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City
Wednesday 17th Week in Ordinary Time
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Today we read the essence of religious life. In the first reading, we are shown the example of the prophet Jeremiah who, in his great suffering, is called by Yahweh to great discipleship. And, in the second reading, we encounter two persons, one who sells all he has in order to buy the treasured field and a merchant who sells all he has in order to buy the pearl of great price.
Religious life thus implies unconditional giving of one’s self to God and to the work He wants us to do. This is also true of anyone, not just the consecrated religious.
Often we claim to love God, but not without reservation. The extent of our love is tested not in the good times of plenty, but in the lean moments of struggle which call for extreme sacrifice.
So, when we feel others are treating us unjustly, we quit the work when we find no means of paying injustice with injustice. In the same way, husband and wife cut their ties when really difficult times come, such as in moments of infidelity or during times they have to endure poverty. We love, but conditionally.
True life – whether for a religious or a lay person – calls for unconditional love, not because we are good but because we believe that the One we love deserves it. He/she is the pearl of great price!
To be able to love so unconditionally, we ourselves must have to undergo a radical transformation, from one whose center is our own ego to another who has learned to surrender one’s self completely.
To lose one’s self in the Other whom we love and serve – what a quiet, beautiful moment of conversion this is! It is what makes religious experience authentic.
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