Category: English

The Master’s Trust

On By bayuopIn English, Ordinary TimeLeave a comment

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

November 15, 2020

Matthew 25:14-30

The original meaning of talent is not God’s given ability, but a unit of weight and value, normally gold and silver. More importantly, talent is a huge amount of money. One talent is equal to around six thousand denarii. If one denarius is the wage of ordinary daily labor, one talent means six thousand days of works or approximately seventeen to twenty years of work.

To seek the value of this parable, we need to discover the surprising twists in the story. This time, I would like to invite you all to focus on the master of the servants. The master is giving a total of 8 talents to his three servants [literally slaves]. If we pause a moment, we begin to realize how fantastic amount of money they receive. The act of giving presupposes either two things: either the master is unimaginable rich that he does not care really about these talents, or he is utterly generous and trusting. I believe it is the second reason.

To entrust these talents entails grave risks. One possibility is that the servants may fail in their trading, and thus, the master may lose his money. Another chance is the servants may run away with talents, and therefore, the master may lose both his money and his servants. Yet, despite these nightmarish possibilities, the master is firm in his decision. He trusts his servants, and it pays off. Except for his lazy servant, the master earns double!

From this, we learn a precious lesson. The best way to expand our talent is by sharing it with others. The usual way to develop our talents is by practicing it often. However, this method does not bring us exponential growth. Yet, by sharing the talents, the possibility of growth is unimaginable. Yet again, the parable is not simply about talents, but the relationship between the master and the servants, on the trust and faith of the master and gratitude of the servants. Indeed, the ability to recognize the master’s trust produces gratitude, and gratitude propels the servants to do their best.

One probable reason that the servant becomes lazy is that he fails to recognize his master’s trust and focuses on the smallness of his talent. Ironically, one talent is still a huge amount of wealth! Thus, instead of gratitude, envy creeps in, and laziness prevails. We also notice that the servant is not losing the talent, but he still receives the punishment. Though the talent is not missing, the trust of the master has been lost. And when this trust’s lost, everything is lost.

Learning from this parable, we are called to have that ability to recognize God’s “trust” and love in us. Different talents we have are just a simple manifestation of this love. Slaves as we are, we do not deserve anything from God, but God has given us superabundantly. From this realization, only gratitude shall naturally flow. But, if we miss the point, we may fall into many other sins: envy, anger, slander, or simply laziness. Again, it is not about the talents we have, but the trust and love God has in us.

 

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

 

Foolish Virgins

On By bayuopIn English, Ordinary TimeLeave a comment

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

November 8, 2020

Matthew 25:1-13

A wedding ceremony is one of the most beautiful events in many cultures and societies. This includes the Jewish community in the first century AD Palestine. For the Hebrew people living in the time of Jesus, the wedding ceremony has two stages. The first one is the exchange of vows or betrothal. The couple is officially married, and they are recognized as husband and wife in the eyes of the Jewish community. Yet, they are going to wait for around one year before they are living together. The husband will prepare for the house as well as the reception celebration that may last for seven days.

The second stage is the wedding party. It begins with the groom fetch the bride from her ancestral house, and bring her to his home with a procession of dance and music. Since the procession usually takes place in the evening, fire and torches are indispensable. The ten virgins are part of the wedding ceremony which we may call today as the bridesmaids. They may be some of the close friends of the bride and even relatives of the couples. They are stationed not far from the wedding place to welcome the married couple. Since there is no internet and GPS, the ten virgins may not be able to locate precisely where the procession is, but they are expected to be ready.

It is interesting to see the attitude of the five foolish virgins. In Greek, the virgins are called as “moros” where we get the English word moron. It is undoubtedly a harsh word. Jesus applies the same word after His sermon on the Mount and points to people who listen to His preaching without practising them, “like a foolish man who built his house on sand [Mat 7:26].” Yet, if we observe, what we see that the virgins are doing foolish things. Not only they fail to prepare for the unexpected arrival of the groom, but they also look for the oil in the middle of the night. They are not living in the modern era where we can easily purchase it at the 24-hour convenient stores. The merchants are expectedly unavailable, and we can imagine how they rushingly search the vendors, and frantically knock their doors. This may cause unnecessary inconveniences and bring absolute shame to the couples. This may be the reason also why the wedding’s host refuses to admit these five foolish virgins.

This parable of Jesus gives us a potent reminder not to become foolish in living our lives as Christians. We are given a particular role and mission in our lives. Some of us are called to be married couples and parents.  Some of us are serving as priests or religious men and women. Some of us are teachers of the faith; some of us are leaders of the community, and others are servants. In whatever role we are, Jesus asks us to be wise in doing our ministries and demands us not to do foolish things as to scandalize others or even cause others unnecessary suffering.

If we, as Christians, act foolishly, we bring shame, not only to ourselves but Christ Himself. But, if we think and produce wise deeds, we bring glory to the Lord, and more people will praise our God.

 

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

Called for Holiness

On By bayuopIn English, Ordinary TimeLeave a comment

All Saints’ Day

November 1, 2020

Matthew 5:1-12

Today the Church is celebrating the Solemnity of all saints. This is one of the ancient feasts in the Church that commemorates and honors all holy people who had gone before us and received their eternal reward, God Himself. We may recognize some of them, like St. Ignatius, St. Dominic de Guzman, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Catharine of Siena, but this is only a tiny fraction of the entire heavenly host. There are countless we are not aware of. The good news is that all of them are praying for us, and who knows, some of our departed beloved have been parts of this holy communion.

Speaking of the saints, the first thing that often pops up in our mind is that these are giants of our faith. Many saints, like the majority of the apostles, are martyrs. They offered their lives for Christ in gruesome ways. Many saints are performing unparalleled miracles. St. Benedict of Nursia was reported to raise a young man killed in an accident during the building of his monastery. Not only miracles, but some saints are also performing unthinkable deeds. A tradition says that St. Anthony of Padua decided to preach to the fish when the heretics refused to listen to him, and the fishes were giving their attention to the preacher of truth. When St. Vincent Ferrer preached, his voice could be heard even as far as 3 KM away. St. Catharine of Siena received the gift of stigmata, the wounds of the crucified Christ. St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina had the gift to penetrate the depth of human hearts so that people cannot hide anything before him during the confession.

Looking at the lives of the saints, we may wonder, “Is sainthood for me?” I am afraid to die, let alone as martyrs. I do not possess super abilities; not even I can speak with my pets. Worse, I continue to struggle with my sins. Holiness is far from many of us.

However, the truth is all of us are created to become saints. Yes, the purpose of why God created us is to be holy, to be part of heaven, and to share His divine life. In fact, we have only two fundamental options in the final analysis: for God or against God. If we are for God, then our destiny is heaven, and membership in eternal joy is for the saints. Yet, if we refuse to be with God, then we are doomed to hell. Thus, our choice is only two: to be saints or go to hell. Tough choice!

Yet, the saints with marvelous stories are the only tip of the iceberg. The majority of the saints are living a simple yet faithful life. St. Martin de Porres lived his entire life as a simple brother, cleaning and taking care of the convent. St. Therese of Lisieux did not do any extraordinary things during her life, but sincere prayer to the Lord. St. Louis and Azelie Martin, a simple couple yet faithful parents, raised 5 nuns, and one of them is St. Therese. And, Beato Carlo Acutis was young and liked to play Playstation, but he was also recognized as a blessed one. We are called to holiness, and we are designed for heaven. We need to be open to God’s grace to work in us.

All Saints pray for us!

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

photocredit: grant witty

 

The Commandments

On By bayuopIn English, Ordinary TimeLeave a comment

30th Sunday of the Ordinary Time [A]

October 25, 2020

Matthew 22:34-50

The question is, “what is the greatest law?” Once again, the historical and religious context is important. When Jesus and the Pharisees discuss the Law, they are speaking about particular Law. It is neither criminal law nor international law. It is the Law of Moses, the Torah, which points to Moses’s five books. According to the tradition of the Rabbis, the Torah contains 613 specific laws. Thus, the Pharisee is questioning Jesus on the most important among 613 commandments.

For the Jewish people, the answer is not difficult and even expected. The most fundamental law among the laws is the Ten Commandments. It is the first set of laws given to Israelites through Moses in Sinai. The traditional belief holds that the Ten Commandments are traditionally by order of importance, meaning the first is the most essential, and the last is the least essential. Therefore, the first among the Ten Commandments is the greatest among the 613. It says, “I am the Lord your God… there is no other God beside me [Exo 20:2-3].”

However, Jesus escapes the expectation and reconstructs His own answer that will be the moral foundation of Christianity. Jesus’ answer is, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind…You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Though the answer is unusual, it remains orthodox because the source is also the Law of Moses. To love the Lord with our all is rooted in the Jewish basic prayer “Shema” [see Deu 6:4-6], and to love our neighbors as ourselves is springing up from the book of Leviticus [19:18]. What Jesus does is He radically changes the orientation of the Law of Moses. Instead of limiting ourselves to the prohibitions of the Ten Commandments, Jesus sets love as its direction. Love is seeking the goodness of the beloved, and love never stops until we are united to our beloved. To obey the 10 Commandments is foundational, but that is the minimum, and Jesus teaches us not to stay at the boundaries but to go beyond till we are united with God and others in God.

Before, I thought the commandment of Jesus was nice and lovely words. I love God by going to the Church every Sunday, especially during Christmas and Easter, and I love others by occasionally helping them or giving a donation to the poor. But I realize something a bit off. Jesus never says, “this is my greatest recommendation or advice.” What Jesus tells us, “This is the greatest commandments!” Law is meant to be obeyed, and here, we are dealing with the biggest laws! To love the Lord with our all is not optional. It is a must, and to love our brothers and sisters is not based on our convenience, but it is a divine obligation. To love God, neither not a part-time job nor to love our neighbors is our pastime. It is either all or nothing. That is Jesus’ greatest commandments.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

photo: josh Appel

Caesar or God?

On By bayuopIn English, Ordinary TimeLeave a comment

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 18, 2020

Matthew 22:15-21

To understand today’s Gospel, we need to make time travel to the time of Jesus. The Jewish people in the first century AD Palestine were not free people, and they were subject to the Roman empire. Being subjects, they were required to submit heavy taxes. This money would eventually use to pay the army that maintained “the security” of Palestine. Naturally, paying taxes was one of the most irritating and politically charged issues. “Why should I pay for my own oppression?”

The issue of paying taxes is even more sensitive since the coin used for the transaction is bearing the image of Caesar. Not only having the graven face of Caesar, around the image, but there was also an inscription that said “Tiberivs Caesar Divi Avgvsti Filivs Avgvstvs (Caesar Augustus Tiberius, son of the Divine Augustus).” The coin was simply blasphemous for the Jews who recognized that there is no god, but the Lord God.

With this background, the Pharisees were plotting to trap Jesus with an extremely dilemmatic question: “should we pay tax to Caesar?” If Jesus nodded, He would be considered a traitor for many Jewish nationalists and an idol-worshipper to pious Israelites. But, if Jesus voted negatively, He would be immediately labeled as a rebel and face the wrath of the Romans. However, it was never wise to test Jesus, because it would never be successful. Again, Jesus did not only escape the dilemma wisely but also taught a profound lesson for everyone.

He took a Roman coin and showed that it has an image of Caesar. Then, He said, “render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar…” The basis of ownership is the presence of “image.” The coin belongs to Caesar because it has his image. Thus, paying tax is simply giving back to the coins that since the beginning belongs to Caesar and the Roman Empire.  Yet, Jesus did not stop there. He taught also, “render to God what belongs to God.” And what belongs to God? The answer is those who possess the image of God. Going back to the Genesis 1:26, we discover that we were created in the image of God, and therefore, we belong to God.

Here, Jesus was not dodging the Pharisees’ bullet, but teaching a fundamental truth about who we are and where we are going. We were created in the image of God, not in the image of cellular phone, not of money, not of trophies. While they may offer instant pleasure, not of these things will ever grant us true happiness. Only God can truly fulfill our deepest longing. While these things are naturally good and can be beneficial, they are mere means to achieve our true end, God Himself. We might be preoccupied with pursuing wealth, popularity, or influence, but what is the point when we lose our final purpose?

St. Ignatius of Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises reminds us that, “Man is created to praise, reverence, and serve God our Lord, and by this means to save his soul. The other things on the face of the earth are created for man to help him in attaining the end for which he is created…Therefore, we must make ourselves indifferent [detached] to all created things… Our one desire and choice should be what is more conducive to the end for which we are created”

 

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To Honor the King

On By bayuopIn English, Ordinary TimeLeave a comment

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 11, 2020

Matthew 22:1-14

To understand the parable, we need to see the surprising elements that Jesus offers. Firstly, this is no ordinary wedding, but the royal wedding of the king’s son. Surely, people in the royal list are honored and privileged guests, but they refuse to come, decline the invitation twice and even mistreat the king’s servants. What they do are unthinkable! They fail to see how precious the invitation and rather choose their own trivial business. They are like throwing insult to the king who has honored them. No wonder, the king punishes them.

Yet, this king is generous and merciful king, and he decides to invite all people who are not in his original guests of honor. He grants the royal invitation and honor to all. Many indeed come and fulfil the invitation. However, there is one guy who fails to wear a wedding dress. To dress properly in attending a wedding feast is not only expected, but it shows how we honor the one who invites us. This person is a guest of honor, but he fails to appreciate the honor he receives, fails to behave accordingly, and brings great dishonor to the king. Thus, the king throws him not to any place, but to the darkness.

We are all like these wedding guests, and we receive immeasurable honor because, in reality, we do not deserve to be called by God to enter into His kingdom. Yet, the invitation is free, but it does not mean cheap. We still need to do our part to honor the one who invites us and to show utmost thanksgiving to God. The question is what wedding garment symbolizes? If we move forward to Revelation 19, we will see another wedding. This is the wedding of the Lamb, and in Rev 19:8, “…for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.” Faith in Jesus is like accepting the invitation, but we must not stop there, we shall wear also the garment of the righteous deeds. Our initial faith has to grow into charity.

The basic principle is grace is free, but it is not cheap. In fact, it is the most precious thing we ever receive in our lives. Our righteous works are not meant to be a bargaining chip with the Lord, but rather token of our gratitude. We do holy deeds not because we want to be praised, but because we want to honor Him who has called us to the heavenly banquet. As priests, we are serving the people primarily because, despite our weaknesses, we are chosen to the instruments of grace. As spouses, we are building family not simply based on emotional attractions, biological needs, and economic stability, because we are grateful to the Lord who has united husband and wife in love and grace. As parents, we are raising our children not only to become successful, rich or influential but primarily to become holy men and women because we recognize that these children are blessing from the Lord. The world is definitely a better world with people filled with gratitude, and with the saints.

This reflection is dedicated to Carlo Acutis, who is beatified today [10 Oktober], a model of holiness for all of us.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

Keeping the Gift

On By bayuopIn English, Ordinary TimeLeave a comment

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time [A]

September 4, 2020

Matthew 21:33-43

The vineyard owner in today’s parable is extraordinary. He knows that the tenants are greedy and corrupt, and if I had been the owner, I would have expelled the tenants right away. Yet, this owner is doing the opposite. He keeps sending His envoys and pleading with them, to the point of giving his own son, the true heir. This vineyard owner must be crazy! Yet, that is how much merciful, and patient God is. However, that is not the end of the story. The thing is if we keep abusing God’s mercy, His justice will eventually prevail.

When Jesus was speaking about the vineyard, the context was Jesus was confronting the elders and chief priest. Instead of serving the people, they chose to seek their gains and thus, involved in various corrupt practices. Jesus reminded them that the vineyard would be taken away if they did not repent.  Unfortunately, they were too greedy and proud. Thus, they opted to get rid of Jesus, the Son of God. The history tells us that in 70 AD, around 40 years after Christ, Jerusalem was burned, and the Temple was razed to the ground.

Unfortunately, the story of the gift given and gift taken away is one of the basic patterns in the Bible. Adam and Eve given the privilege of the garden of Eden, yet they offended the Lord, and they lost the paradise. People of Israel were liberated from the land of Egypt, but in the wilderness, they kept complaining and even worshipping false gods. Therefore, they had to die in the desert, and only their children were allowed to enter. The Israelites have received the land and built a powerful kingdom under David, but they kept sinning and forgetting the Lord, and thus, the kingdom was destroyed, and the people were exiled.

God has given each of us, something special, a precious gift. And we should take care of and protect this gift, and we shall not test the Lord. Otherwise, this gift will be taken away from us.

Faith is a gift. Faith is our first step to heaven. Yet, we have to grow our faith, to nourish it with true teachings of the Church and growing relationship with the Lord. We must defend it not only from false teachings but also from our laziness and mediocrity. Otherwise, it will be taken away from us.

A vocation to priesthood and brotherhood is a gift. It is a gift to serve the people of God, to preach the Word of God, and to minister the sacraments through which we receive the grace and salvation. We need to nurture it daily with prayer, assiduous study, and faithfully living the vows. Otherwise, it will be taken away from us.

A vocation to married life and family is a gift. It is a gift to become co-creators and co-workers of God; to bring forth life and to nurture life. We need to protect it from sins and infidelity and selfishness, and nourish it with love, commitment, and even openness.  Otherwise, it will be taken away from us.

The Earth is a gift to us. It is our home, a stunning home to live, and among billions of planets in the galaxies, there is nothing like earth. We need to defend it from exploitation, over-mining, over-fishing and even from our lifestyle that gradually destroy nature. Otherwise, it will be taken away from us.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

photo credit: jodie-morgan

Pride and Humility

On By bayuopIn English, Ordinary TimeLeave a comment

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time [A]

September 27, 2020

Matthew 21:28-31

Reading the entire Matthew chapter 21, we will get the sense of the parable of the two sons of the vineyard owner. Jesus just entered the city of Jerusalem and was welcomed by the people with a shout of “Hosanna” and palm branches. Then, he proceeded to the Temple area to cleanse it from the malpractices plaguing the holy ground. Thus, the elders and chief priests, the one who was in charge of the Temple, questioned Jesus, “who are you? By what authority do you act and teach?”

Thus, Jesus answered them through a parable. This parable speaks of two sons; the first representing the elders and the second the tax collectors and prostitutes. Yet, to the surprise of the elders, far from being the protagonists of the story, they turn to be the villains. To add insult to the injury, the elders were practically in the worse condition than these tax collectors, because they are still far from the vineyard, from salvation. However, instead of repenting, the elders got infuriated and decided to finish Jesus once for all.

The question is “why were the tax collectors able to repent while the elders were not?” The answer is something to do with two opposing powers: at one side of the ring is humility and the other is pride. We begin with pride. Based on the Church’s tradition, pride is the deadliest of seven deadly sins. St. Thomas Aquinas explained that pride is “an excessive desire for one’s own excellence which rejects subjection to God.” In short, proud men regard themselves better than others to the point of contempt. What makes pride so dangerous, it may lead even people to think they are self-sufficient and has no need even of God.

Pride is extremely subtle because it can take root even in spiritual matters. We cannot say that I am lustful for prayer, but we can be proud of our spiritual life. We see ourselves holier and more pious than others based on our standards.

At the opposite corner is humility. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, humility is a virtue that “temper and restrain the mind, lest it tends to high things immoderately.” In short, humility is the antidote of pride. Humility is rooted in the Latin word “humus” meaning soil. Humble persons recognize their identity as coming from the dust, and the breath of life and perfections are gifts of God. This humility will bring gratitude because we realized that despite nothing but dust, God is boundlessly generous and merciful to us.

However, humility and cowardice are often confused. Cowardice manifests in low self-esteem, lack of confidence, and poor in responsibility. Cowardice is rooted in incomplete and even distorted self-image. While humility begins with the right understanding of the self, that we are gratuitously loved by God. Humble people are strong people because only strong ones can confess their sins. Humble persons are mature persons because only mature ones are able to own their weakness, say sorry, and ask for help. Humble men and women are tough people because it is hard to forgive.

 

Lord, grant us humility, that we may follow Your holy will.

 

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

 

Parable of Mercy

On By bayuopIn English, Ordinary TimeLeave a comment

25th Week in Ordinary Time [A]

September 20, 2020

Matthew 20: 1-16

lambros-lyrarakis vineyard 2

Among the many parables of Jesus, this parable of the owner of the vineyard is one that I find difficult to understand. Every time I read this parable, I always felt that something was wrong. Perhaps, I easily associate myself with the first-coming workers, who work from morning to sunset. They are laborers who spend their time and energy under the heat of the sun and give their efforts to meet the demands of the vineyard owner. However, they receive the same wages as those who only offer one hour of work. Of course the owner of the vineyard did not break the contract, but there still seemed to be injustice.

Maybe, this experience is like when I was studying in Manila. I was studying hard to get the best that I could achieve. Indeed, I got good grades, but what I could not accept was when my classmates who did not spent much effort, got also the same grades as I did. For me, It was not fair, but I could drop my complaint because the final grade is the prerogative of the professor.

However, things started to look different when I became a teacher myself. At one point, I needed to give my students final grades. And this is the utmost dilemma for me because I realize that on the one hand, I need to provide justice, but on the other hand, I want all my students to pass and graduate. Finally, I often chose compassion and allowed my struggling students to pass. I am fully aware that some of my students will feel that I am unfair, and that is the burden I must bear as a lecturer who chooses to be compassionate.

If we try to look closely at what vineyard owner is doing, we will find it funny and even weird. He kept looking for and hiring new persons almost every three hours. To make matters worse, he gave the same daily wages for all. In the economy and business, overspending and excess labor are a recipe for bankruptcy! However, the owner of the vineyard did not seem to care and was constantly looking for laborers. Perhaps, he knew very well that if these people were without jobs, they would starve to death, but if they worked and received less than the minimum wage, they wouldn’t be able to survive either. He couldn’t satisfy everyone, but at least he would be able to save everyone.

Learning from this parable, rather than complaining to God, we need to rejoice because our Lord is full of mercy, who even takes the initiative and seeks to seek out those of us who need salvation, and who willingly give eternal life even to those who have not lived well, but at the last moment repent.

 We should rejoice because in God’s eyes, we are all the last workers to beg mercy. Who knows, the workers who come first are actually the angels, and we really are the last unworthy laborers. With our sin, we all deserve to go to hell, but God stretches out His hand and opens the Gates of Heaven. We should rejoice that heaven is not a lonely place where few righteous people deserve it, but it is full of grateful people who enjoy God’s mercy even if they are not worthy.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

Pic: lambros lyrarakis

Mercy is the Option

On By bayuopIn English, Ordinary TimeLeave a comment

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time [A]

September 13, 2020

Matthew 18:21-35

felix-koutchinski-QARM_X5HWyI-unsplash

 

Last Sunday, the Gospel spoke about the fraternal correction. If a brother has offended us, we are obliged to offer charitable correction. This Sunday, the Gospel tells us what to do if a person who has received a correction, is repenting and asking for forgiveness. The answer is simple: we forgive him, and we embrace him back into the communion.

Simon Peter, the spokesperson of the disciples, is trying to impress his Master. He offers that he is willing to forgive up to seven times. Simon Peter wants to show Jesus that he is also capable of having a high standard. To his surprise, Jesus is not impressed, and in fact, teaches the disciples another great lesson about justice, mercy and forgiveness.

This time, Jesus pulls out His favorite method: telling a parable, and we will appreciate the parable if we are able to recognize the historical context and its surprise. A servant owes 10,000 talents to a king. In Jesus’ time, talent is a precious gold coin, and it equals to 6,000 denarii. One denarius itself is equivalent to a wage of one day labor. Thus, this servant owes 60,000,000 days of work to His Master [or around 160,000 years of work!]. Yes, despite the unthinkably fantastic amount of debt, the king easily forgives and erases the entire debt when the servant begs for mercy. This king’s attitude is even more insane!

Therefore, when the king receives the news that this forgiven servant refuses to forgive another fellow servant with infinitely smaller debt [100 denarii], his anger is justifiable, and expectedly, his mercy turns to justice.

Reflecting this parable, we understand that before the Lord God, we are no different from this servant. We deserve nothing from the Lord except one thing: hell! Sin has destroyed our relationship with God, and we created an infinitely bottomless pit. Finite as we are, nothing we can do to close the infinite gap. Only the infinitely powerful God possesses the ability to build the impossible bridge. Fortunately, Jesus has assured us that His Father is also the Mercy Himself. Though we deserve nothing but hell, God has opened the gate of Paradise to us.

Since nobody can earn God’s mercy, His mercy is always free, but it does not mean it is cheap. God wants us to do something also to receive His mercy. He expects us to be merciful. If He forgives us, then we need to forgive those who have hurt us. Jesus Himself reminds us that we should be merciful as our Father in heaven is merciful [Luk 6:36]. Being merciful is not an option. In fact, it is the justice that will be applied to us in the final judgment.

We know that to forgive is tough, but again we may learn from Jesus how to forgive. At the cross, He said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing [Luk 23:34].” The first step is to pray for those people who have offended us. By praying often, we train our heart to let go of our anger and bitterness, and even to learn to love the way God loves even those people who wish Him not to exist at all.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno