CALLING, LOVING AND FORBEARING



            The three reading of today invite us to reflect on the three dimensions we encounter in life. All of them are different yet so connected. The first reading is taken from the book of Jeremiah, where God is giving the words of courage and hope to Prophet Jeremiah and the people of Israel. The words spoken in the passage are really powerful and giving a strength to the week. God reveals that the profession of prophet is not taken or adopted during a course of time rather, it is given by God to a particular person with a specific task to accomplish. So to the people of Israel, they are not the adopter of God, rather it is God who has chosen them as His people. Thus, they need not to worry about their life and the persecution they face with regard to this. If somebody gives us a job to be done, they are responsible for the problems that arise in that. The job provider needs to be present to help the employee. Hence, today God is giving an assurance that it is He who has called us by name, therefore, He would take care of us in all circumstances.
            In the second reading, we witness St. Paul exhorting the Corinthians with the characteristics of Love.  The expression of love means not just one thing but many things at its varied situations and atmospheres. There are lots of virtues and qualities to follow in life, but greater among them is love, which surpasses everything. The calling of God is responded with our love towards Him and the mission that is entrusted to us.
            At last, Jesus in the Gospel speaks of the persecutions that would arise by obeying God’s Call and by the expression one’s love towards Him and others. The own people itself would throw the one away. Such is the revolution and such is the act of the followers of Jesus.
            There are three steps in our life. First – The Calling – God calls us first by our name. He strengthens us with his words and deeds. Second – Loving – we respond to God by giving our love to Him and for the people whom we are working for, either it be a family or a society. Third – Forbearing – invitation and attendance alone is not the life. There are very many things involved in it. We need to sacrifice something. We need to face some challenges. By accepting the one we have to lose the other. But here by accepting one (Jesus) we gain everything, which we would realize only in the next life. The call is given, are we responding with love and forbearance?

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