“GIVE IT TO JESUS.” These were the words that came to my mind
when a little boy extended his hand to me and begged for some money. I then opened my wallet and gave a coin. A further reflection on the said words brought
to my mind the words of Jesus to those gathered on his right at the last
judgment: “Truly I say to you: whenever
you did this to one of the least, to my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matt. 25: 40) These words of our Lord Jesus
Christ is to me the great challenge of
Christianity.
The
Great Challenge is, I believe, THREEFOLD. A challenge to my mind, to my heart,
and to my hand.
1. It
challenges my mind because it demands a conviction that, indeed, every human
being I meet is Christ’s representative. Somehow I need to see in every person the
face of Christ. This requires from me a
great act of Faith, especially with those
who cause some difficulties and sorrows in life, the so-called ‘unlovable’.
2. It
challenges my heart for it demands a
willingness to serve the needs of others.
In other words, it requires from me an unselfish generosity in giving anything to anyone in need.
3. It
challenges my hand to be open and ready to act and do whatever is directed by my
mind and heart. A wholehearted decision
should be put into action.
The words “Give it to Jesus” made me recall also what is
stated in the National Catechetical Directory of the Philippines (NCDP): “The heart of catechesis is not a doctrine,
or a moral principle, or an act of worship, but a Person, the Person of Jesus
of Nazareth”. (CT5) This means,
therefore, trying to see the “Face of Jesus” in every person I meet and serve
him in whatever way I can. How can this
be done?
How really could I render service? The repeated 3 Ts – of Time, Talent, and
Treasure, came to my mind. Yes, I could
serve someone by sharing my time – by simply making him aware of my love thru
my presence. I could serve by sharing my
talent – doing whatever I could do within my competence. I could serve by sharing my treasure –
offering whatever I could give from whatever I have.
To
be able to meet this great Challenge of Christianity I must humbly
acknowledge my dependence on God’s grace. I must admit that without the grace of God I simply cannot meet the
demands of those three challenges.
January 1, 2012
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