Listen

Yesterday, during our first-Friday mass healing with Fr. Faller at the SM Megamall, I pointed to Aim, our three-year old son, one of the photos of the Stations of the Cross which shows Jesus crucified.

Me        :           Aim, who is that on the cross?

Aim       :           Jesus

Me        :           What happened to Him?

Aim       :           He has blood.

In my attempt to add a touch of philosophical view on our conversation, I ask another question.

Me        :           Why do you think Jesus died?

Aim       :           He did not listen.

I tried hard to control my laughter in order to keep the solemnity of the on-going mass. I wanted to laugh because I quickly remembered that every time one of our two sons get hurt despite our constant warning (e.g. "Sofa is not for jumping.",  "Flopping is not safe."), we often remind them to listen to us, as soon as we are sure that they are already fine. Aim, just like all toddlers, was simply mimicking his parents words.

But, after a deeper reflection on it, I realized that Aim was incidentally giving me a deeper philosophical answer than I wanted him to learn.

Jesus did died because He did not listen.

Jesus did not listen to the Pharisees and Sadducees who wanted him to “tow their line” and follow their strict rules and regulations.

Jesus did not listen to the masses who wanted to make Him a revolutionary leader to fight the Roman empire.

Jesus did not even listen to his apostles and disciples who wished for Him to ditch all His prophesies about dying and to stay with them all the time.

Jesus only listened to His Father and to the silent cries of marginalized sinners to be forgiven and the needy to be relieved of their hardship.

This is why He died on the cross.

In this season of Lent, may we all learn and take the time to listen to Him again.

Only His voice matters truly.

God bless po.

Geometry of True Wealth

In the pentagon figure without any given length of sides or angles formed, what is the sum of all angles inside? To solve this trivial question, we must choose to remember and apply a basic geometry rule – that any given triangle has a sum 180 degrees for all 3 angles. Then, we choose one vertex and draw imaginary lines to its opposite vertex to create triangle figures. By “dividing” the pentagon, 3 triangles can be made. Therefore, 180 degrees x 3 = 540 degrees; it is the sum of all the angles of the pentagon.

In our life, the ambiguity of how to gain true wealth can also be solved by applying the same approach to this geometry problem. We must adhere to the basic biblical rules of contentment (trust in God) and generosity (gratitude to God).

Contentment

Indeed, it is necessary to be contended so our figure of wealth will not uncontrollably grow more than we really needed it to be able to live a simple life. We must pray and be on guard against our fears and greed for these two can ignite our desire the love for money. Hebrews 13:5 reminded us to ““Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you.” God knows our needs and He will provide. Therefore our focus on wealth accumulation is only towards meeting our needs and not to be immersed and to get lost in wealth's exponential growth. The key words here are “be content with what you have”. This simply implies we still need to work in order “to have” but we do not need to keep on working when we already have what we need.

Related bible readings:

Matthew 6:19 - “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.”

Luke 12:15 – “Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

1 Timothy 6:9-10 – “For we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it. For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.”

Generosity

In the geometry problem solution, we needed to “divide” the pentagon to be able to see the sum of its angles. Just the same, we need to always “divide” also our financial blessings in order to find our “true” wealth. This “division” of wealth should translate to sharing our wealth for the betterment of our neighbors in need. 1 Timothy 6:18-19 attest to this biblical truth – “Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share, thus accumulating as treasure a good foundation for the future, so as to win the life that is true life.” When we use our financial blessings to “store up treasures in heaven”, our life will have a meaningful purpose that is in-line with God’s divine purpose.

Related bible readings:

Matthew 6:20 – “But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 - Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

In all, contentment leads us to share and sharing leads us to a meaningful life.

Then we gain our true wealth.

God bless us all.