THE WORD
Zec 2: 5–9.14–15 / Lk 9: 43–45
While [the crowd and the disciples] were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
IN OTHER WORDS
Is there a need to listen to what Jesus is saying to us?
One day, after a meeting between theGuarani (the original settlers of Misiones, Argentina and Paraguay) and a lawyer who represented the government, I asked a member of the indigenous tribe, “ Why is it so difficult for you to listen to the lawyer, and so easy to pay attention and obey your kasike or elder?” He replied, “Yes, because we consider our chief, or elder, a better person, a more human and real man, whose words are full of wisdom and whose actions are genuine.”
Is there a need to pay attention to Jesus? YES. Like all the indigenous tribes who hear, listen and obey their elders, I find two reasons why we should listen and obey Jesus. First, he is the perfect person we are looking for. Second, he has the word of eternal life.
1. Like the elders who are considered as perfect models by the indigenous people, the person of Jesus possesses all the credentials we are looking for in a perfect person. As the son of God who knows the father more than we do, he is the loving father’s perfect image. He has experienced being loved by Him, the one who fulfills our deepest yearnings, the person whom we can endlessly trust.
In him, we find real love and security, the true meaning of friendship, peace, joy, and strength in life. “If you see me, you see the father because I and the father are one.” (Jn 10: 30) Indeed, in him we find that perfect love and care that can unite us and the meaning of life that we are longing for.
2. We listen to him because of his words. Like the tribal people who listen and obey their ancestors because of the content, wisdom and meaning of their words, so we find in Jesus´ words the truth that sets us free, the truth that gives meaning to our lives. That is why we should pay attention to what he says and discover the way to eternity. Like Peter, we must say to him, “Lord, to whom shall we go, you have the words of eternal life.” (Jn. 6, 60-69)
Knowing then that he is the son of God, the image of the father, and that his words are words of wisdom and truth, we should not fear to listen, learn, believe and have faith in him. Jesus is the best person to relate and live with. His words contain the message we want to hear. In his person we find true fulfillment and in his words we discover the fullness of life.
- Romulo Laguicao, SVD (Argentina )
The Word in other words 2015
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
