July 8, 2018: 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Antony Christy, SDB –
Here are some contradictions that you could ponder on, this Sunday… based on the Readings we have:
1. You are sent by God to a particular space and time: till the end of your time you will not realise it to the full and not as long as you are in the space where you live!
2. You are sent to a people, the people with whomever you find yourself in reality, but they will never look at it that way and you will long to be sent elsewhere all your life!
3. You are called to be a prophet – though it means living a life of a prophet, it is decided only in the way you die. It is, literally or symbolically, a call to die for a cause!
4. You are sent to a people who would not easily accept you; if they accept you easily, may be, they are not the ones to whom you are specifically sent!
5. You are sent – that does not mean you are special… just look around and you would see scores of persons much better than you, however that does not excuse you from following your call.
6. You are sent – therefore it doesn’t matter if you don’t love the task that you are entrusted with, it is your duty not your hobby; do it with your full heart and energy!
7. You are sent – that does not make you are strong, it makes you weak and vulnerable! But it is in that weakness and vulnerability that you would make the One who sent, better known to the rest!
8. You are a prophet to the people which means you would be rejected by them, at least by the dominant and the majority – if you are easily accepted, you are no prophet!
9. Popularity and Prophecy do not go together – mind you, if you seem too popular in a place, you are conforming to their ideals, and not to the one who sent you. So don’t strive to make yourself acceptable!
10. The One who sent you, sent you to the rebels, not to the patriots! Hence if you are comfortable with those who are inside the flock, you are mistaken – you haven’t started to live your call yet!
Fr Antony Christy is a Salesian Priest from 2005, who has a Masters in Philosophy (specialisation in Religion) and a Masters in Theology (Specialisation in Catechetics). He is currently pursuing his doctoral research in Theology at Salesian Pontifical University, Rome. Walking with the Young towards a World of Peace and Dialogue is the passion that fires him on.