THE WORD
Jon 3, 1-10/Lk 11, 29-32
While still more people gathered in the crowd, he said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
“At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”
IN OTHER WORDS
On getting his driver’s license, a young man was asked about what the colors of the traffi c lights meant. He got it all correct except for the color red about which he said: “Of course red means, go faster!” What do you think happened next?
The traffic lights help drivers navigate the road in an orderly manner. Without them, chaos ensues. As we go through the 40 days of Lent, we can draw lessons from the colors of traffi c lights.
RED means “stop” – nd some quality time each day for silence, reading and reflecting on God’s Word or just quieting down. Identify a specific time and place, and be committed to this “bonding time” with God. It also entails discipline. Any wish or desire to grow or advance in anything needs discipline. But never fail to enjoy each moment.
YELLOW means “yield” – having found the time to reflect on God’s Word vis-a-vis your life, you are invited to introspect, to look within yourself and “recognize” behaviors/attitudes and memories that have been enslaving you and that need mending or healing.
GREEN means “go” – being able to identify what needs to be mended and healed, the next task is to “go” and “move forward” and “be not afraid to seek healing from past hurts and move on with life”. Go also means, seek the best for you and what God wishes of you; help bring the best out of others; be an instrument of healing and peace; bring justice and compassion to the least, last, and lost. Go walk humbly and cheerfully with Jesus and Mama Mary each day! You are precious and valuable more than you know!
- Fr. Flavie Villanueva, SVD | CT, Manila
The Word in other words 2016
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.
