Thursday, September 29, 2011

26th Week in Ordinary Time, Friday, 30-09-11

Baruch 1:15-20 / Luke 10:13-16

One of the characteristics of our sinful human condition is that we blame others for all the things that go wrong.

For example, if we meet with an accident, we have that tendency to blame the other driver, the road condition, the pedestrians, and whatever that can be blamed.

Well, that's nothing new actually. Eve blamed the snake, Adam blamed God, and we blame everyone but ourselves.

In the 1st reading, Baruch reflects upon the disastrous events that had happened to the Jewish people, especially the destruction of Jerusalem, and the exile in Babylon.

And he came to this conclusion: To us, the look of shame we wear today, we have sinned in the sight of the Lord, we have disobeyed Him, we had not listened to the voice of the Lord our God.

So for everything that went wrong and for all the disastrous events that happened, Baruch pointed the finger at himself and his people.

And if we are wondering why we are often so angry, so frustrated, so grouchy, so grumpy, always complaining and blaming others, then it is time to look at the mirror and point the finger at ourselves.

Our own words and attitudes are already telling us something about ourselves.

The Lord gave us ears so that we can listen to ourselves. May our hearts also be open to what the Lord is telling us.