The real being good - from within

THE WORD IN LENT - 2nd week, Monday

March 09, 2020: Daniel 9: 4-10; Luke 6: 36-38

Point for Dialogue #10: tendencies of distraction and the ultimate vocation

Lent is not merely a moment of some rigorous self control but it is essentially a moment of enhancing our goodness, the goodness that lies deep within us because we are made in the image and likeness of God. Let us not exaggerate on the fact that we are called just to return to the dust from which we supposedly came, but let us realise that we are ultimately invited to become one with the eternal living God - the eternal life promised by God, through Christ the Son and our Saviour. 

The challenge therefore is to enter into a constant dialogue between our tendencies of distraction and the ultimate sense of vocation. Yes, we are called to grow in the image of God, that is placed within us as a potent seed. That is our vocation. There could be distractions and deviations that come our way. We cannot, in anyway, lose our orientation towards that ultimate call. 

Let us beware of some distractions and deviations. For instance, in being good or doing good, it is possible that we are guided by reasons like - expecting a good return or not incurring the wrath of justice; or we could be looking for an adulation or at least wishing to present a picture of a good self to the others! Be it positive or negative, a distraction is a distraction and a deviation always misleads.

The most Christian of all disposition is to be good, because it is my vocation; to do good because it is my essential nature! Being good, merciful and holy because the Lord who has made me, is good merciful and holy - that is the real meaning of being good! It is not for anything or anyone, but because I am made so. This is Being good from within and this will never be taken away from me, come what situation may.