Through the eyes of God

"God writes straight with crooked lines."

33 “Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard,[a] put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. 34 When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants[b] to the tenants to obtain his produce. 35 But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. 36 Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. 37 Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 [c]But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ 39 [d]They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?” 41 They answered[e] him, “He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.” 42 [f]Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the scriptures:
‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes’?
43 [g]Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit. 44 [[h] The one who falls on this stone will be dashed to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.]” 45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees[i] heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them. 46 And although they were attempting to arrest him, they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.-Matthew21:33-46

The vineyard represents the house of Israel; the servants represent the prophets; the son represents Jesus; the produce represents the good works; the landowner represents God; and the tenants represent the Pharisees, scribes, teachers of the Law, Elders and other religious leaders during the time of Jesus and prior to that. As I reflected, I asked God, "What would have happened if Jesus was received accordingly? What if everybody repented like the people of Nineveh in Job's time? Will that make You happy? Is it then 'mission accomplished' for Jesus?" I believe God would have been happy to see the people respond to Jesus' invitation to repent and change. But since there are those who do not respond to Jesus, God still weaves His plan and will whatever our decisions may be until such time that we open ourselves to Him. "God writes straight with crooked lines." In today's first reading, Joseph was sold by his brothers to slavery. Later on, he was auctioned in the slave market in Egypt, accused by Potiphar's wife, sent to prison perhaps for a long time. A life of desolation, it was. Perhaps Joseph asked the many "Whys?" "What ifs..." and "How can this be?" while languishing the seeming misfortunes of his life. But a light came. An interpretation of one prisoner's dream (who happened to be Pharaoh's cupbearer) led to an audience with Pharaoh himself. Joseph successfully interpreted the dream of Pharaoh, and after that, was made governor of Egypt and second in command. Now that's a 360 degree reversal of fortune! Later on, the other nations suffered famine, but Egypt was able to survive because of Joseph's work through the message of the dream. And this abundance led his family to Egypt where they lived and survived the famine that could have perfectly killed them if Joseph was never in Egypt. Joseph would say later on, "Now don't grieve and reproach yourselves for selling me, because God has sent me before you to save your lives... God has sent me ahead of you to make our race survive there and to save many of you. So it was not you but God who sent me here..." It takes a great deal of faith and love to say that a misfortune is part of God's plan for a greater good. It is okay to cry. It is okay to weep and languish over life's misfortunes. But behind a misfortune is a multitude of blessing awaiting to happen at the right time and place. Jesus was - using our human language - a victim of a few men's jealousy, a victim of violence, an innocent man condemned to die. But if we have the eyes of God, faith and love, we will all see that this is part of the plan leading to a greater good - Resurrection and salvation for us all.

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Mysteries are Born

Life is full of mysteries.

26 He said, “This is how it is with the kingdom of God;[a] it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land 27 and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. 28 Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”

30 He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. 32 [b]But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” 33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. 34 Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.-Mark4:26-34

Yesterday, I was reading about the finding of scientists on our planet's magnetic field. According to them, the magnetic field mystery is mystery no more! However, science for me is like a sponge. When you look at it on first glance, it seems compact and solid, meaning - full of answers. But once you look at it closer or squeeze it, you will find that it is hollow inside, meaning - there is still a vast and endless abyss of mystery and unanswered questions. Much of the world and much of life is left unanswered. I was asking myself why - in the very first place - there is a magnetic field. Why of all things in this world, a magnetic field was there at the core of the planet? Is there a more and deeper explanation to its existence? Take a look also at the seed. Why does a seed turn into a grown plant when planted? Why can't it turn bigger and bigger instead? Why did Jane chose John for a husband despite the fact that he is far from being a prince charming? In the same way, the Word of God, once planted in our lives, grows and we know not why, but all that we see are the acts of love and kindness that we do to others. Jesus continues inviting us to enter the mystery of His plan and purpose for us. We know not why we are created, but the moment we love and do good to others, we are given glimpses and answers to our existence.

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The Big Yes

Somebody's calling you.

14 After John had been arrested,[a] Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: 15 “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

16 As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. 17 Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. 19 He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. 20 Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.-Mark1:14-20

The call is so mysterious. Indeed, why did Jesus choose common folks? Were there not an abundance of learned men during His time? Were not Pharisees, Sadducees, Elders, Scribes or "more deserving people" in abundance during Jesus' active ministry? God's ways are indeed not our ways. God's thoughts are not our thoughts. God has planned it all way ahead of time. God has already pre-destined men and women for a role they are to fill later on. The plan is there. The destined role is there. The stage is there. All that is missing is our Yes. Our "Yes" to God is not so difficult to give as exemplified by His disciples' response.

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Somebody's calling

The Summoning.

13 He went up the mountain[a] and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve [whom he also named apostles] that they might be with him[b] and he might send them forth to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons: 16 [c][he appointed the twelve:] Simon, whom he named Peter; 17 James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, 19 and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.-Mark3:13-19

Calling indeed is a mystery. In the same way, our choice for a partner for life is also a mystery. Last Sunday, I met with some friends, and I was a bit surprised to see my friend's husband for the first time. I never imagined she would marry a man who looks a bit older and not exactly a "prince charming" material. But then, love is a mystery. So, too, God when He calls. During the time of Jesus, fisher-folks, a tax collector, a pacifist, an extremist, and impetuous persons are not exactly good material for religious life. But our ways are not God's ways, our thoughts are not God's thoughts. Jesus saw more than what meets the eye; He sees the heart; He sees God's predestined plan for each and everyone of us. When God calls, what will our response be?

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