Transformed

Readings: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18; Psalm 18; Matthew 25:31-46

As I greeted her jovially on the street, I wondered why she was looking so pale. After a few minutes, she told me the story of her college mate who was found dead in his room on Sunday. He had hanged himself. He was a normal, happy and respected guy, and nobody knew the reason why he did what he did. We stood in the street for a while in silence and assured each other of our prayers.

On my way home, I felt somewhat numbed. Why is it that I live and breath and walk and so many others cease to do so in this very moment. There are no rational arguments which could explain why I live and the others do not any more. Life as I’m able to lead it is a gift. And where there is a gift, there is a giver. God bestowed this wonderful life on me as a free and wonderful gift. I live and with me all the other wonderful people, in the midst of this marvellous world. Rather surprisingly, it is the encounter with death and nothingness in our everyday life which makes us discover the quality and beauty of life and its root: God.

Paul implores us “to offer your very selves to Him: a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1-2). It means we should follow Jesus Christ on His way to the cross, and not only “spiritually” but very actively. Then we can “discern the will of God” and see more clearly his recreating love.