Romans 8:1-11 / Luke 13:1-9
It is during this time of the year that there is a spike in the offering of prayers and Masses.
The reason for this is because of the exams - PSLE, 'N' level, 'O' level, 'A' level
Obviously the purpose of these prayers and Mass offerings is to ask for blessings that the students will do well and get good results.
Another spike in the offering of prayers and Masses will come about just before the results are out.
It is a yearly affair; an annual pattern.
Yet after these prayer spikes, things seem to cool off almost instantly and life goes on as usual.
For those who received God's blessings, I wonder if there is also fervent thanksgiving.
But if fervent petitions are not followed by fervent thanksgiving, then we may be taking God's blessings for granted.
As what the 1st reading said, it may mean that we are only interested in the unspiritual things of achievements and material success, but we forget about the spiritual things of thanksgiving and faith and trust in the Lord.
But because the Spirit has already been given to us to help us look beyond the unspiritual, we now look to the life in the Spirit.
When we live and move in the Spirit, our lives will bear fruits of thanksgiving and holy love.