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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider You stopped those trying to enter

You stopped those trying to enter

Published Oct 17, 2024 01:25 am

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

“Damay-damay tayo” is a Tagalog expression used to describe the attitude of a person who wants everybody else to share in his misfortune. Jesus blames the scholars of the Law for taking away the key of knowledge by their narrow and shallow interpretation of the Law. 

This closing of the door so that others are not able to enter could happen to any believer if one is not watchful of one’s ways. There are parishes where “veteran churchgoers” can turn away newcomers by their unwelcoming attitude. They can be so used to what they do that they become resistant to new ideas that will reach out and appeal to a larger audience. For sure, they are often the most zealous and the most generous ones in serving in the Church.

Sadly, overzealous attitudes can lead to paralysis and stagnation when at times what are needed are creativity and greater tolerance. Do we live our faith by opening doors for others?

First Reading • Eph 1:1-10 

Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the holy ones who are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will,  for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. 

In Christ we have redemption by his Blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us. 8 In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.

GOSPEL • Luke 11:47-54 

The Lord said: “Woe to you! You build the memorials of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. 

Therefore, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute’ in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. 

Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” When he left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say. 

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

 

 

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