Gross blunder -- injustice

St. Thomas Aquinas had mentioned that wrong ideas are like mistaken angles that when extended would magnify also the erroneous perspective.  This is happening in our land today when people keep on moving in the guise of justice without even knowing where their actions lead to.  Just look at all the violence around.  Is that justice?  And where therefore is the missing link, the gross blunder?

Maybe we have forgotten what Jesus said:  “Without me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5).  As St. Pope John XXIII once said: “I don’t complicate my principles.  If Jesus would do it, I would.  If Jesus would not, neither would I”.  People think it’s justice enough to be concerned for the poor.  Justice means “giving to everyone his due” (Rom. 13:7).  So that includes the right relationship to God, ourselves (since charity begins at home), and our neighbor.  And Jesus is justice incarnate whom we are to follow (Mal. 3:20; Jer. 23:6; Jn. 13:15; 1 Cor. 1:30; 1 Pet. 2:21). 

The problem at hand is our centering on Christ, especially for leaders to—know, show, and lead the way.    If Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (Jn. 14:6), we can only be effective leaders if we know him that well as by witnessing to his life and principles in our own life, because examples speak louder than words.  That is when justice can be truly exemplified, and blunders overcome.

Jesus -- in the Bible and in Islam

Why is it that in the world the greater number recognize Jesus as Redeemer?  He is “the Way, the Truth and the Life” (Jn. 14:6).  Moreover, He is Love.  He asks us to love and forgive even our enemies (Mt. 5:43-48).  He asks us to be humble and care for the needs of others (Lk. 14:11, 18:11; Mt. 25:31-46).

Even the Koran of Islam has this about Jesus.  In Surah (chapter) 3:45: “Behold! the angels said, O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus.  The son of Mary, held in honor in this world and of those nearest to Allah.”  In Surah 3:55: “O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself...I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject faith....”  In Surah 43:63: “When Jesus came with Clear Signs, he said: “Now have I come to you with Wisdom, and in order to make clear to you some of the points on which ye dispute: therefore fear Allah and obey me.”

The Koran asks the people to fear Allah and follow Jesus.   Why not?  Jesus only teaches love, humility, truth, forgiveness and care for one another.  One fundamental law of Jesus is: “Judge not and you shall not be judged.  For with what judgment you judge you shall also be judged” (Mt. 7:2).  “Forgive and you shall be forgiven” (Mt. 6:12-15).

While we work for reconciliation it is always profitable to see common points in the Bible and in the Koran.

The hundredfold

(Mt. 19:29; Lk. 14:26; Mk. 10:30)

People keep looking for this hundredfold but seem to miss the point all the time.  Others place it in social analysis which is another form of delusion and deception among those who do it without the consideration of God.

This is found in the fulfillment of those who become servants of Jesus, who turn their backs to the world, not to abandon it, but to find in it the perspective of Jesus who came to save the world (Jn. 12:47).  People of this sort seemingly have left the pleasures of married life; yet when you see them, are more fulfilled and find greater joy in their spiritual children and in being servants of God’s kingdom. 

The delights of the Spirit far surpass the delights of the flesh yet, as the burning bush (Ex. 3:2), will not have the effect of physical exhaustion.  This can only be discovered by grace and by the experience of God which cannot be described in word or writing.  Just go on the journey of the Lord.  He can also give you the true meaning and experience of what is called spiritual marriage.