Political Turmoil & Call for Authentic Leadership - Colombo Telegraph

Political Turmoil & Call For Authentic Leadership

colombotelegraph.com/index.php/political-turmoil-call-for-authentic-leadership/ 

Sri Lanka, the once-promising peal island of Asia, has seen its resources squandered and its people divided by political strife and development crisis. Leaders prioritizing personal gain over the public good have left the country in disarray, with citizens yearning for genuine leadership. As the country busily prepares itself to elect its next president and the nation’s leaders, this paper attempts to provide the citizens with some food for thought to help them become better responsible in casting their votes for the country's future.  

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Colombo Telegraph - July 28, 2024

The Morning News Paper - August 11, 2024

Will the Axe Boast Against Him Who Hews With It? A Thought for the Day

Fernando, R. (2024, July 17). Daily Reflection of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Online Ministries: Creighton University. https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/071724.html

Reading 1, Isaiah 10:5-7, 13-16

Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 94:5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 14-15

Gospel, Matthew 11:25-27

"Will the axe boast against him who hews with it?"

"Will the axe boast against him who hews with it?" This metaphor from the First Reading of the day highlights the absurdity of a tool exalting itself above the one who wields it. Similarly, when human beings boast of their successes and attribute them to their own strength and wisdom, rather than to their Creator, Ignatian spirituality sees it as an act of vain glory. This is one of the three key features of the standard of the devil—riches, honor, and pride. The standard of the devil takes people away from the standard of Christ, which is characterized by poverty, opprobrium, and humility.

In the first reading from Isaiah, the prophet delivers a message from the Lord concerning Assyria. Assyria, a powerful empire, embodies the standard of riches, honor, and pride. They boast of their conquests and attribute their success to their own strength and wisdom, saying, "By my own power I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I am shrewd." This passage serves as a stark reminder of the perils of pride and the illusion of self-sufficiency. Assyria's might and success, though real, are not of its own making. The Lord's sovereignty and providence are the true sources of its power. The consequence of such pride is severe: "the Lord, the LORD of hosts, will send among his fat ones leanness, and instead of his glory there will be kindling like the kindling of fire." This imagery of leanness and fire underscores the inevitable downfall that follows hubris.

This is a humbling lesson that calls us to recognize our dependence on God and the dangers of overestimating our abilities and achievements. The Responsorial Psalm reinforces this theme of divine justice and the assurance of God's unwavering support for His people. The repeated refrain, "The Lord will not abandon his people," offers comfort and hope. Despite the afflictions and injustices faced by the faithful, God's presence and support remain steadfast. The psalmist calls out the senselessness of those who believe that God does not see or hear their actions, reminding us of God's omniscience and His commitment to justice. This echoes the earlier message from Isaiah: God's justice will prevail, and the arrogant will be humbled.

In the Gospel, Jesus praises the Father for revealing divine truths to the childlike rather than to the wise and learned. This revelation to the humble and simple-hearted reflects God's gracious will and highlights the standard of poverty, contempt, and humility. Jesus' words remind us that true wisdom and understanding are gifts from God, accessible not through intellectual prowess but through humility and openness to God's revelation. The childlike are those who approach God with trust, simplicity, and openness, qualities that are often overshadowed by worldly wisdom and sophistication.

Reflecting on these readings through the Ignatian lens, the juxtaposition between the arrogance of the Assyrians and the humility of the childlike highlights a key spiritual principle: humility opens us to God's wisdom, grace, and ultimate exultation, while pride blinds us and leads to our downfall. Do we attribute our successes to our own efforts, or do we acknowledge God's hand in our lives? Are we open to the childlike simplicity that Jesus praises, allowing God's wisdom to guide us? By embracing humility and trusting in God's justice, do we take refuge in the promise that "the Lord will not abandon his people".

Cost of Discipleship & Providence of God - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fernando, R. (2024, July 14). Wisdom on the way: Cost of discipleship and providence of God. St. John's Catholic Church: 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time-July 14, 2024. https://container.parishesonline.com/bulletins/02/0977/20240714B.pdf

Reading 1, Amos 7:12-15
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14
Gospel, Mark 6:7-13
Reading 2, Ephesians 1:3-14

Cost of Discipleship and Providence of God

In today’s Gospel taken from Saint Mark, we witness Jesus commissioning the Twelve Apostles, sending them out in pairs to proclaim his message and perform acts of healing and deliverance. There are several profound lessons embedded within this narrative that resonate deeply with our lives today.

 

Firstly, we observe Jesus bestowing authority upon his disciples. By giving them power over unclean spirits, Jesus empowers them to confront the forces of darkness and bring about spiritual liberation. This highlights the transformative potential that lies within each of us when we align ourselves with the mission of Christ. We, too, are called to confront the evils of our time, whether they be societal injustices, personal struggles, or spiritual battles, with the authority and power bestowed upon us as followers of Jesus.

 

Secondly, Jesus instructs the disciples to travel lightly, emphasizing the importance of simplicity and dependence on God. They are to take only the bare essentials for their journey, relying on the hospitality of others for their sustenance. This serves as a reminder of the transient nature of material possessions and the primacy of spiritual wealth. In a world consumed by consumerism and excess, this call to simplicity challenges us to reevaluate our priorities and place our trust in God rather than material wealth.

 

Thirdly, Jesus advises his disciples on how to respond to rejection. He tells them that if a place does not welcome them or listen to their message, they are to shake the dust off their feet as a testimony against them. This underscores the inevitability of rejection and the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. As followers of Christ, we are called to persevere in our mission, even when faced with opposition and rejection, trusting that God will ultimately vindicate our efforts.

 

Finally, we witness the profound impact of the disciples' ministry. They preach repentance, drive out demons, and heal the sick, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel message. This serves as a testament to the potency of faith in action and the tangible difference it can make in the lives of others. 

 

As modern-day disciples, we are called to continue the Christ’s work of proclaiming the gospel, confronting evil, and bringing healing to a broken world. As we reflect on today’s Gospel, therefore, may we be inspired to follow in the footsteps of the Twelve Apostles, embracing Christ’s discipleship more ardently and serving the mission of the church with humility and dependence on God.