March 30, Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Daily Readings: Reading I Isaiah 49:8-15, Gospel John 5:17-30
Asians are noted for their strong bonds with their families. Parents must be present when their children earn accolades or recognition. In one Asian animated movie, a young woman prayed to her ancestors that she would bring honor to her family by marrying a man through a matchmaker. But she failed the test of the matchmaker and said she would bring disgrace to the family. A Korean prime minister resigned after being accused of corruption. Even before he was found guilty of the charge, he decided to leave because he wanted to preserve the honor of the office.
Despite Jesus' goodness, miracles, and the testimony of his cousin, John the Baptist, the Jews, scribes, and Pharisees refused to believe in him. They refused to honor the one sent by God. These religious leaders of the day claim to revere God, but they refuse to embrace Jesus. They symbolize our stubbornness, our refusal to accept in our hearts that God is faithful to us through his Son, Jesus. Are we like the Pharisees, who only honor those they think to deserve it? How can we claim to love God while gossiping about our neighbors behind their backs, yelling at our household helpers, or hoarding at the supermarket during a crisis?
Consider what would happen if everyone respected one another. Perhaps there would be no problems in the family, at work, or in our communities if we stopped attempting to gain honor for ourselves and instead gave it to others.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta once said: "I am only a little pencil in the hand of our Lord. He may cut or sharpen it. He may write or draw whatever and whenever he wants. If the writing or drawing is good, we do not honor the pencil or the material used, but rather the one who used it.
More than merely acknowledging Christ, honoring God demands more. Accepting Christ as our Savior and attending Mass every Sunday is not enough to glorify God. When we avoid sin, use our gifts for good, obey His will, and have the humility to recognize that we are nothing without Him, we genuinely honor Him.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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