Posted by The WORD in other words (2010) by Fr. Carlos Macatangga, SVD – Toronto, Canada
Monday 10th Week in Ordinary Time
Is there anyone who does not want to be blest? I am sure everyone wants to be blest by the Lord. However, we should not confuse being blest with blessings in life. One may have many blessings without being blest. One has to consider how one takes possession of these blessings. It might be an “ill gotten wealth?”
Being blest means living and putting into practice the Beatitudes. Being blest means having the right relationship with God and with one another. Being blest means following the WORD of God and not the word of the world. Being blest means to be counter cultural: to do the unthinkable and the unimaginable. Being blest means to do the right and the loving thing.
Now, these things do not necessarily bring blessings in life. Sometimes, living and practicing the beatitudes will actually deprive us of the opportunities to have more “blessings in this life.”
In Filipino language the word that is closest to having blessings in life is masuwerte (fortunate). That is why someone who has many blessings is considered as “masuwerte” (lucky) and not “mapalad” (blest).
Now, if you have a loving husband or wife and obedient and compassionate children then you are considered to be “mapalad” (fortunate). You are “masuwerte” (fortunate) if you have the latest gadgets in town but this does not make you “mapalad” (blest).
The ideal is to be someone who is a “mapalad na masuwerte.” (blest fortunate) This is one who in spite of having material possessions in abundance still maintains a good relationship with God and with one another. This is our goal. Hopefully, this is also our choice in life.
Just like a Portuguese song which says “A decisão e tua!” The decision is yours and yours alone. What is your choice? Choose the Lord (work for right relationships) and be blest!
