WORD ALIVE
Once a student of a Catholic college was being initiated into a Catholic organization. He was asked: “What are the most important requirements of our Christian faith?”
Without batting an eyelash, he replied, “Going to mass on Sunday and receiving Holy Communion.”
Well, these are, indeed, required of every Catholic but definitely that is not enough.
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In today’s Fifth Sunday of Easter, Jesus uses an allegory comparing a true follower of his to a plant. A plant does not only grow but should also bear fruit. “He who abides in Me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit. By this my Father is glorified” (Jn 15,5-8).
What does Christ mean by “not only grow but should also bear fruit”? He means that our faith must be productive in acts of love and mercy. St. John the Baptist, while he preached sternly to the people, said: “Whoever has two shirts must give one to the man who has none, and whoever has food must share it.” (Lk 3,11).
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In the Parable of the Last Judgment, Jesus will say that those who faithfully carry out their Christian ministry of helping, caring and sharing will attain eternal life.
In that awesome moment, the Judge will not ask: How many prayers have you recited? Or how wealthy are you or how good-looking or intelligent are you?
He will tell rather, “I was hungry you gave me to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me drink, sick and imprisoned and you visited me…enter into the Kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 25,35ff). Pope Francis supports Jesus by saying that “our good works are our ‘passport’ to Heaven.”
There’s a need to highlight the social side of our faith because a good number of Christians think that merely attending Mass or receiving Communion make them good Christians. It is observed that there are more worshippers than do-gooders in church.
Ask yourself: How much good works am I doing for the less fortunate? Am I more of a Mass goer but am harsh, unkind and inconsiderate with my fellowmen?
Do I take to heart Jesus’ words: “Every tree, therefore, that is not bearing good fruit is to be cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matt. 3,10)?
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More Good Deeds. A man once confessed, “What scares me most is when I come face to face with God in the next life. The late Mother Teresa, the saint of the gutters, reports and God says, ‘Teresa, you should have done more good works.’ And there I am – right behind her!”
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Hot Philippines. The heat is unbearable. But Hell is by far hotter. And the fire is endless! Think about that. Magbago na tayo!
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In the spirit of charity, please donate any amount. (E-mail me at: [email protected])