On the way

The story is told about a student who pronounced the word “vogue” as “vog-u.” The teacher corrected him and went on lengthy explanations, complete with examples and illustrations. After hearing all that, the student said: “Ok, Ma’am. I understand. I will not arg with you!”

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In today’s gospel (MK. 9, 30-37), Jesus asked his disciples the question: “What were you arguing about on the way?” They could not answer, in shame, because they were discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Aren’t we also the same? Aren’t we all so preoccupied with our self-importance, to our shame?

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It is significant that the Lord Jesus used the word “on the way,” to remind us that we all are on a journey, we are all just passing by, and that what is important is that we make it to our final destination, together. The journey is not about comfort and style. It is not about being ahead, nor about going far and fast!

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“When you run alone, it is called race; when you run with God, it is called grace.” Let us not forget or leave behind God in our journey. Remember: Where did you come from? Where are you going?

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We travel life’s road not alone. We have companions “on the way.” Don’t be so focused on speed and reach that you forget about love, friendship, kindness, and togetherness. If you travel alone, you go far and fast, but you end up empty, shallow, and lonely deep inside.

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The key to a meaningful journey in life is not to forget the Lord and your fellow pilgrims who travel with you. How? The key is humility. “Whoever receives one such child in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me, but the one who sent me.” If we are humble, we become mindful of God and of others. If we are humble, we can say “It’s ok not to be the first, It’s ok to be the last.”

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“What’s your hurry, mate?” This favorite greeting of the Australians should remind us to slow down, to be mindful of what surrounds us, and to take time, and even to stop along the way, to be kind, and to be a part of humanity.

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For those so engrossed in material things, don’t forget to use things, love people, not vice versa! And for those who are always in worry and hurry mode, don’t forget that the more you worry, the more you hurry to the cemetery.

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There are two kinds of people who will never be happy in this life: the complaining, and the comparing. Those who have complaining attitude will always find something to complain about, and those who keep comparing themselves to others will never be happy, because as the Desiderata says: “If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, because always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.”

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The “Who is the greatest” show in our land has already started this early, with the elections 2022 still in May. “If anyone wishes to be the first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Let us keep this in mind and plant this in our hearts when we choose our public servants. Please!

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Sept. 23 is St. Padre Pio’s Feast Day. He has this to say to us who are disheartened with human suffering and injustice around us these days: “Do not let your soul be troubled at the sad spectacle of human injustice; even this has its value in the economy of events.”

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A moment with the Lord:Lord, remind us that we are on the way. Help us to travel light in our journey. Amen!

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