I’ve been thinking a lot recently and the things that happen or I hear around me keeps it ‘burning’. Today’s sermon was just as poignant as that of yesterday. Today’s gospel passage is one of those that I hate. It’s the story of how labourers were hired by the Master to work in the fields for a fixed wage. Then the Master goes out and hires more labourers who start working later. At the end of the day, all were paid the same wage although some worked more/harder than the others. I hate this passage because I see it as unfair; injustice prevails. To me, it just means that there’s no point in working so hard – just slack till the last minute and you will still be embraced. I was beginning to fill with contempt as the passage was being read. Fr Henry Siew however provided another perspective, which I found illuminating. The passage is not about fairness or justice (or the lack of it). Instead, the focus should be on the generousity of the Master. Our heavenly Father loves us so much that He welcomes us even though we may join “late”; we all get the same treatment – unconditional Love.
Thus, it dawned on me that our God is One of equality, not equity. Personally, I believe very much in equity – “to be rewarded according to what one has given”. However, our God believes that all should be treated the same; no one deserves His Love any less than another. Maybe it’s the selfish streak in me but I don’t really like that idea especially when put in the context of Christian living. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not doing the things that I’m doing cos I have to but I think that it’s freaking unfair for me to have to do good when others can cheat, manipulate, fuck around, commit all sorts of crimes and then still “get away scot-free” just because they embrace God “at the last minute”. Don’t know what you guys think but that’s what I feel.
On another front I see myself including more people in my “love” list. You know there are certain people that just make you wanna love them. For most of us, it involves mainly our family and possible a boyfren or girlfren. However, over the past few weeks, I’ve seen myself add in several people into that list. First of all, there’s Dusty. Though she irritates me like mad sometimes, I still really love her and when someone shared with me her experience of losing her dog, it made me very sad too because I don’t want to have to face that day. But that day will come, hopefully not for a long time to come. I guess what makes Dusty so endearing is epitomised in what my mum said, that unlike humans, no matter if you scold or beat her, she doesn’t hold grudges and the very next moment, she’ll come to find you again. I think that it’s something that’s lacking in humans. This basic concept of forgiveness and of not holding grudges. If only humans were more like dogs. The other group of people that have been included in this list is that of my cat class kids. Most of them anyway. I guess I realised it today when I wanted to fight for the rights of some of them during my meeting but when no one seemed to share my view I just felt so upset. I realised then that it’s like that when you love someone. And as usual I hate the vulnerability that comes attached with that love you feel. Love conquers all right? *reality check* That’s bullshit. Sorry but I just had to include that statement. Anyway, just hope that I will be able to keep in touch and that they will remember me.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Heavy Thinking
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
hey nick, i agree with u tat it gets really sucky when we try hard to do gd, but others dont and get away with it. but tat bring us the qns, why we do gd for? we do gd becoz we want to or becoz of the reward? if its the reward, we will feel cheated tat others got the same reward without putting in effort. but tat is losing the whole meaning of it. the real reason why we do gd shld be becoz we want to, out of real goodness. the issues of fairness will not arise becoz u dun even care abt the reward. hahaaa.. like wat someone put it, a buddist approach to christianity.
anwyya glad u are so close to ur cat class kids! makes me really envious! hahahaaa!!
i think one way of looking at it is to just focus on our own relationship with God, and not other people's relationships with God. what we do and what we get in return are really separate from what other people do and what they get in return. it's right that we should focus on the generosity of God our Father on top of everything else.
my brother told me that we should do good because we don't know when our time would come. and in a way, i agree with him. because i don't know when my life would end, i'd wanna do good and please God, so that i'll be prepared when it ends.
to put things in perspective, we should take a look at the first reading from sunday's mass, when God said, "As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts." i trust God to look after me, and i don't focus so much on other people. of course, at times it's difficult, and that's where prayer and proper reflection comes in. take care bro!
hey u guys...
it feels gd to hear your views...it's like a mini-CG here :D
what happens when you don't care about the reward, but still feel that it's unfair cos others are not doing gd, cos you feel that it's the correct or right way to do things?
I guess one way not to think about this is as what Wayno mentioned lah...not to compare...just to focus on our own personal r/s with God...I think that would be good...I hope I can do it cos it's always so easy to start comparing yourself with others.
Jon: If you're jealous then you should quell that by joining me next year lah! it's be fun...of cos got down times too but overall, you'll say it's worth it. This call goes out to WAYNE too :p
Wayne: those verses are beautiful...thanks for sharing with me (I seem to only rem the gospel and not the other 2 readings). I have to rem that God's ways & thoughts are always above ours. And that He knows what's best for us :)
Post a Comment