Fr. Martin began his homily with the story of a diamond jeweller who always wore a ring with a huge beautiful diamond. Ordinary people would think that he was showing off his wealth. But his aide knew the secret. This diamond jeweller was not able to tell the difference between a good diamond and a perfect diamond. He had to rely on his diamond ring which acted as a reference, a measuring rod. This diamond ring enabled him to pass good judgment on the raw stones. Similarly, we Christians need a measuring rod to help us decide the right from wrong. The question is how we can build up such a reference, such a measuring rod.
The teaching of Jesus is our ultimate reference, our ultimate measuring rod to guide us on the right path. However, knowing his teaching is not the same as living up his teaching. It takes time for our life to be imbued with his teaching.
Modern men emphasize on the quality of life. They feel unfulfilled if they fail to fill up nearly every moment in their daily life with some activities. Every minute must be occupied. They put on earphones/headphones to drown their ear-drums with music. Their eyes are constantly bombarded by charts and numbers on the monitors, gorgeous photos in the magazines and flickering images on TV. You will find them constantly talking on their mobile, walking in hurried paces. This is modern life.
Think again. If we are so filled up, is there any more room for the teaching of Jesus to sink its root?
Today, we read of how the apostles finished their first preaching assignment, returned and reported to Jesus what achievement they had attained. They were eager to tell Jesus how they were able to heal, to cast out demons and to work miracles. Probably, they were eager to obtain the praises from their master. But Jesus knew that these apostles needed something else.
And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while." (Mark 6:31a)
Yes, it takes time for the true significance of all these achievements to sink into our hearts. We need a lonely place to recoup our priorities. However, we don't need to go to a retreat or come back to the church to pray in order to find the tranquillity. Fr. Martin shared his seminary experience with us. It was the routine of all seminarians to spend about 15 minutes a day to reflect on their daily life. He gazed out to the Deep Bay where many yachts were moored for 15 minutes before dinner. To this date, Fr. Martin still keeps this habit of gazing out to some far off places for 15 minutes before dinner and he finds it energizing. It enables him to overcome daily frustrations more easily.
The other day, he met a parishioner and a newspaper dropped out from the handbag of this lady. It was Kung Kao Pao, the weekly Catholic Chinese magazine. She told Fr. Martin that as a business woman, she led a very busy life. Yet, she still tried to squeeze a few minutes a day to read through the weekly magazine. She knew that this habit would do her good spiritually. We too need to build up this habit to find time to feel the presence of God, to reflect on the teaching of Jesus.
Dear Lord, we are not good enough stewards. We do not make good enough use of the time and energy You give us. Let us today work a bit harder to come closer to You, to know You better. Amen.
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