Posted by The WORD in other words (2019) by Fr Florante Camacho SVD – Holy Name University, Tagbilaran City
Monday 6th Week in Ordinary Time
There is this Filipino phenomenon called gaya-gaya. On two occasions at the rural parish which I served for nine years I saw a family successfully putting up a barbecue stand near their house. In less than a week I found barbecue stands in every corner of the barrio. And the same thing happened when my cook produced very good buko ice-candies. She sold them at the local school. In no time. dozens followed her example!
What do you think is the driving force behind the gaya-gaya phenomenon? A passage in the Bible (Ecclesiastes 4:4) states: “I observed that the basic motive for success is the driving force of envy and jealousy.”
Today‘s readings remind us of this truth. Cain envied his brother Abel‘s success in pleasing God. It made him angry and drove him to murder Abel.
In the gospel, we are shown the envy and jealousy of the Pharisees. Jesus was too much for them. Jesus‘ success in driving people to Himself drove the Pharisees to engage Him in a debate, a discussion “to put Him to the test”. They needed “a sign from heaven”! In disappointment Jesus left them alone. Instead He went on preaching and performing miracles like feeding four thousand persons from just seven loaves of bread and a few fish.
What drives us to become a better person, a better Catholic, a successful professional or businessman/woman or a happy housewife? Envy? Jealousy?
May the example of Jesus: love for the Father and His brothers and sisters especially those in need, be our driving force!
