Is death better, or life?

THE WORD AND THE SAINT

October 1, 2024 - Remembering St. Theresa of Child Jesus

Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23; Luke 9: 51-56

Job complains against the unfairness of life and prefers he were dead than living. How many times we contemplate such thoughts, most of the times unmindful of the bountiful blessings that have preceded such experiences and all the blessings that are yet in store. We always want to be kings of good times and queens of cosy times! There are moments that bring out the preciousness of life, by allowing such experiences which highlight the goodness that surrounds us always.

The saint whom we remember today, the saint of the Little Way, teaches us the secret. It is not about great accomplishments and life time achievements that sanctity is all about, instead, the little things, the simple demands of each day, the apparently insignificant choices we make, the daily routines we follow, the members of our family we live with and their characters and idiosyncrasies we have to put up with - these shall determine our way to holiness! 

At times we know there is a problem around, there is a person who does not like me, there is a situation that I am being criticised for any simple thing, or I am not understood at all , even in the smallest of things in consideration - that does not matter; we go on, with simple steps, with the child like steps.

When Jesus sets his eyes towards Jerusalem, the Samaritans detest it -they want him all for themselvesè  may be. They forget the goodness that Jesus had shown them thus far, respecting that woman at the well, narrating that parable that extols the samaritan and recognising that one grateful soul among the rest of the ingrates. Can we have everyone to keep pleasing us all the time? In this context -  isn't it right to ask that question today: is it better to be dead or to live with meaning?