The WORD in Other Words by Fr Robert Ibay SVD (Philippines)
Friday 1st Week of Lent
“My relationship with God is seen in the way I treat my parents and the people around me with respect, understanding and obedience.” These words were communicated by a Grade 11 student in my theology class in DWCU.
I am sharing this experience, because the gospel today asserts that relating with God does not start from external laws, principles and doctrines but rather from mercy and kindness we show in living with others in our community.
Befriending God is befriending others, and being sensitive to the needs of the people in our community. To be faithful to God is to be committed to the holistic development of the people we are with.
Finding the Lord is not limited in the prayers, devotions, in church gatherings and the sacraments we celebrate but rather, finding HIM is seeing and realizing His presence and His face in the life of the people we encounter every day, especially the poor and the marginalized.
With this mindset, to connect ourselves with God then is to constantly listen to Him and about the things He wants us to do for others and for our community.
Indeed, our rootedness in the Lord is manifested in constructing bridges in relating with others. It is seen in the unselfish service we deliver and in the different activities we do to promote peace, communion and forgiveness. The more we are rooted in God, the more we get closer to people.
Source – The WORD in Other Words, Bible Diary 2020
