Reciprocal Favors

"Then he began to reproach the towns in which most of his miracles has been worked, because they refused to repent." (Matthew 11: 20)

I have two thoughts on the above scriptures:

1. I am like a town where Jesus worked many miracles. When I count my blessings, I am amazed. Yet, I am struggling to show reciprocal favors to the Lord.
   
2. When I make investments in business and the returns are negligible, I fume and I am very disappointed. Can I compare business investment to the investment of Jesus in His ministry with sometimes disappointing results?

A fine child

"There was a man descended from Levi who had taken a woman of Levi as his wife. She conceived and gave birth to a son and , seeing what a fine child he was, she kept him hidden for three months." (Exodus 2: 1 – 2)

God's choice begins very early. God formed and chose Moses right from the womb. He endowed him with features that ensured his survival. (Exodus 2: 1 – 2)

Other fine boys from the Bible:

• Joseph
  
• David
  
• Daniel

Take up your cross

"Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footstep is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10: 38)

David said to Goliath: "You come against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel that you have insulted. Today the Lord shall deliver you into my hand; I will strike you down and cut off your head…… All this multitude, too, shall learn that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves. For the battle is the Lord's and he shall deliver you into our hands." (1 Samuel 17)

Everyone has a Goliath to face. Each person has his own cross to carry. With God's grace, we shall vanquish the Goliath and bear our own cross.

Constant Labor

"Accordingly, they put taskmasters over the Israelites to wear them down by forced labor." (Exodus 1: 11)

Constant labor wears down the body and the spirit. God who created human beings understands this very well. This is why He prescribes the Sabbath rest. The Sabbath rest is God's gift to humanity.

The Triumph of God’s Providence

"Almighty and ever-present Father, your watchful care reaches from end to end and orders all things in such power that even the tensions and the tragedies of sin cannot frustrate your loving plans. Help us to embrace your will, give us the strength to follow your call, so that your truth may live in our hearts and reflect peace to those who believe in your love. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord." (Alternate Opening Prayer on the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time)

How comforting it is know that God's providence triumphs over the tensions and tragedies of sins. Thanks be to God's power, we are not captives by our past sins. Once we reconcile with God, our path to salvation continues and God uses our past sins in a creative way to enhance our ministry.