This gospel
according to Matthew speaks about Jesus commissioning his apostles to
evangelize the world. While I was reading the gospel for three times, I found
out that the last part wherein our Lord Jesus Christ promises to his disciples
that he will be with them until the end of this world, was very striking to me.
Hence, this is where I started my reflection.
I was truly
touched and felt that unsual happiness when I imagined our Redeemer, Jesus
Christ, speaking to me through this biblical passage. He was giving me his assurance
that whatever happens, He will always be at my side. You know it feels so great
when someone you loved promises to you that s/he will always be there willing
to love you forever, to understand and forgive you always, to guide and protect
you all the time and would help you in times of need even to the point of
laying down her/his life for you. Isn’t it touching? I am sure the feeling is
very overwhelming when you find a particular person who is ready to do all
those things I have mentioned above unconditionally.
How much more if
that someone or that person is no other than our Lord Jesus Christ? I guess no
words could best explain such kind of emotion just like how we feel everytime
we experience the loving and comforting presence of the Heavenly Father through
His Son.
However, when I
went deeper in my reflection, I suddenly felt that sadness. I felt sad when I
realized how unfair I was in responding to the reassuring love and presence of
the Lord. I realized that never in my life did I promise to be with Him always
until the end of my life here on earth. And then I asked myself why? And my
immediate answer was that because I’m just afraid I cannot hold on to my
promise and so it’s better for me not to make any promises to the Lord. I was
guilty of somehow doubting the capacity of God in pouring out His blessings to
me or I was just looking on my weak spots.
And how many of
us have the same experience? My sadness was intensified when I tried to see
within myself as a person who had sincerely expressed his desire to follow the
Lord. But still, I believe that Jesus Christ, in spite of my unfaithfulness, is
ever faithful to His promise. In fact, I have been receiving countless
blessings from the generous Father through His name. I was saddened by the
truth that sometimes, because of my human weakness, I ignored the presence of
our Lord, who has been good and helpful to me. There were times that I freely
chose to commit sinful acts of which I knew were not pleasing to the eyes of
God. Yes, I know that the Lord is with me always. But during those erring days,
it was just like unthankfully saying to the Lord, “Hey, Jesus Christ! Get away
from me! I don’t need you here. It’s none of your business, anyway.”
You see, the
Lord has been faithful to His promise but I opted to depart or distance myself
from His sight. I was ungrateful to Him. But still, He is always there for me
for the Lord will remain faithful even if we become unfaithful to Him. My
sadness was turned into joy for I heard the good Lord telling me through this
gospel that it is never too late for me to come back to the father like what
the prodigal son did. He is telling me to repent. Definitely, it’s never too
late for us. We are so loved by the Lord, that He could not afford to turn his
back away from us nor let us go astray like sheeps without shepherd.
Now, let us pray
brethren for the grace of God to sustain our promise to be with the Lord always
until the end of our temporal life. To God be the glory forever! Amen and amen!
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