Posted by The WORD in other words (2006) by Fr. Carlos Lariosa, SVD – Agusan del Sur
Monday 21st Week in Ordinary Time
A thief entered a room and saw a notice put in front of the safe that said: “Wet paint! Please don’t touch!” Under this an instruction was added: “If you need money, go to the bookstand. Open the first book on the right side and you will find one hundred pesos!”
The thief looked at the notice and smiled. He believed he could get more if he opts for the safe. So he went ahead to open the safe. Lo and behold, all the lights went on with a spotlight focused on him, and he was caught. While being led by the police, he was heard muttering: “I have lost all my trust in humanity!”
That is what will happen to people who have hardened themselves in their self-seeking. They don’t only feel miserable, they also make many others feel miserable. The scribes and Pharisees were supposed to be religious leaders but had gone on their selfish way so that they could not see any other way of doing things than their own. Their values were misconstrued that Jesus called them blind, hypocrites and fools.
In his book “City of God,” St. Augustine, explained the process of entering into the inner sanctum of intimacy with God. The different circles or walls of the City of God can be accessed only through self-realization by living the virtues befitting a child of God. As one approaches closer to God, the more one also goes closer to others, especially those who need most help from their neighbors. He has also gone closest to himself where the City of God is actually situated –oneself!
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