WORD 2day: Wednesday, 9th week in Ordinary Time
June 05, 2024 - 2 Timothy 1: 1-3,6-12; Mark 12: 18-27
There is a beautiful expression that Paul uses today, which explains the truth of Christian faith: fanning into a flame the gift of God.
Let us just imagine the embers, which look all out and gone, but when you fan it, there arise a flurry of ashes and then a small little spark that flickers from beneath, and in no time blazes into a devouring fire! That is faith. That is Christ; that is the Risen Lord.
This is an imagery of hope, an imagery that Resurrection has left in the heart of every disciple of the Risen Lord. Everything seemed dead; the apostles and disciples and the pious women along with Mary, were still and quiet - when the flame was fanned into a blaze - the Lord arose and everything changed!
In our life too, when there are sorrows and failures, troubles and downfalls, and every thing seems down and out, we are encouraged to remember the fire that is lurking beneath - the fire of power, love and self control; to remember that when that fire be fanned in time, it shall turn into a flame of faith which shall strengethen us with a tremendous endurance!
Those who think of nothing but failure and finding fault, judging and criticising, discouraging and demotivating, are people who "neither know God nor understand the Word." If we truly understand the Word and know God, we would rise above all petty considerations, childish bickerings, worthless competitions, lifeless relationships!
We are called constantly to be aware of the God of the living, the God of life, the God of marvelous gifts and keep fanning into a flame that gift of God, the gift of the Spirit: Our Faith!