Reflections from the Heart – October 17, 2021

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
by Fr. Ivan Olmo

“What do you wish me to do for you?” Usually, we do not appreciate being told what to do. We simply do not care for someone telling us what we can and cannot do or what we can and cannot say. Even if someone asks nicely, it simply bothers us. Even if we know it is the right thing to do, we just don’t care for it. Even though it is something within reason, it still doesn’t matter. Even though it is something we have to do – let’s face it, we just don’t like being told what to do. The cause of our resentment can vary. Sometimes it’s simply our pride that gets in the way (nobody tells me what to do!) or we don’t know the messenger (who does he think he is!) or we simply dislike the person giving the order (I can’t stand her!). We simply prefer not having anyone tell us what to do. Then, why are we so easily prone to be led by evil and do what Satan tells us to do? Didn’t we promise to reject him and all his works and all his empty promises? One of the things that should cause us to have a deep and genuine admiration for Jesus is that even though no one has the right or the authority to tell Jesus what to do, he still listened to Mary and Joseph and remained ever faithful to the Father’s Divine Will. What perfect humility even to the point of dying on the Cross. This inspires me, as Mary said, to do whatever Jesus tells me to do. Jesus, who is our Lord and King, never asks us to do something he himself has not done. He lived and died, loved and gave, prayed and obeyed, forgave and shared, blessed and believed and now he invites us to do the same. Jesus, though ever pure and sinless, undefiled and innocent, holy and without stain, allowed himself to receive a baptism of repentance so we could receive a baptism of salvation – a baptism of eternal life. This amazing example of Jesus’ deep devotion and love and profound humility should inspire us to happily imitate him in listening to Mary and Joseph and simply do whatever the Father asks us to do. When the Devil told Adam and Eve what to do, they listened to him and died. When the Devil told Jesus what to do, Jesus simply told him, “You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.”