Readings
I - Acts 7: 10-17
II - Mt. 9: 1-8
TO APPRECIATE IS TO GLORIFY GOD
There are various ways of responding to the good accomplished. Self-righteous people find fault, proud people ignore, and simple people esteem. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus makes the paralytic walk - a miracle indeed. The jealousy of the proud and self-righteous scribes prevented them from looking beyond to appreciate Jesus. At the same time, the crowd around, the simple people, glorified God for such a miraculous act of Jesus.
Often we are unable to appreciate others because of our pride, jealousy, selfishness, ego, and the attitude of self-righteousness. Through these attitudes of ours, we make life difficult for ourselves and others. This is why Jesus says, “Unless you become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 18:3). Appreciating is not only value addition to others but we add value to ourselves and glorify God as well. Let the Gospel passage help us to enlighten us to appreciate the good in others. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me a great heart to go beyond myself and value others”.
