By Friny Peter Ruwnglal, CSC –
Readings: Jdg 2: 11-19; Mt 19: 16-22
Community life is not designed for individuals, rather for a union of hearts and minds, striving to bring about peaceful co-existence. Today’s readings, especially the Gospel, points to partnership in bringing the goodness that every person possesses within them. It calls forth a mutual building of relationship.
I do not deny the fact that each one has different likes and dislikes. Yet at the end of the day, everyone loves to be bound together as one. No matter what holds our future, one is responsible for the growth and development of each person in the community. The readings highlight the importance of collaboration among members of the same community. It gives a glimpse of imperfection that needs our intervention in the wrongs and misdeeds of a person or group of people.
The Israelites continuously practice the idol worship in spite of Yahweh sending them a judge to bring them back to right living and worship. No doubt, everyone has weaknesses and struggles like the Israelites. The key is how willingly one accepts the genuine and fraternal correction rendered by a companion or elder or younger brother. These readings urge me to look at my life in the community, and my failures to respond positively to the little corrections.
I realize that the art of forgiveness is the primary value to be inculcated in oneself to build a community of true and living example of the message of Christ’s forgiveness. So, the reading reminds and challenges me to open up myself and accept my vulnerabilities in humility and total trust. The Lord invites me to value and acknowledge the little help each one renders for my growth to become a better seminarian in every aspect of my formation.