| INDICATORS OF A NEW START IN LIFE MONDENGO Maurice, Jr. I would like to offer you a little reflection whose implications are remarkably relevant and the lessons deeply significant. That's ancient history that the Bible tells about what has been called in the Gospels as the qualification of the "prodigal son". In this parable, Jesus in Luke 15: 11-32 wanted to give plenty of lessons to his as one who is going to have our attention on these pages on the new obvious starting us in everyone's life as the soul of our nation. As can be appreciated, easily, the main character of this parable is the second son of a wealthy man of his time and in the community, including the farm and the fields produced abundant harvests if needed and thereby a labor-intensive workers and even more mercenaries or militia who should look after its assets and to his family that one day may be given the advanced age of his father and insecurity that surrounded him his only brother, he will tell his father to give him the share accruing to it and went in other lands where he had invested everything in the waste, profligacy and poor. the summit of its prosperity fragile because no future, he fell to the lowest level of living and crossed the border, even the minimum acceptable life of a poor friendly to share his life and his daily bread with pigs. Think this young man. If he were among us today he would be treated for all the ills in our society because, instead of staying close to his father and work for his family, he chose instead to reduce assets and even the value of the inheritance should go back to the whole family. It would be wasteful if not treated plunderer of the economic power of the family. It would be a traitor, a fool or irresponsible life. Nobody would agree with us today, he has to answer to his requests that the bitterness and sabotage hate us for many reasons and even unsuspected. And others would say that this child was a wizard because he wanted to hasten the death of his father to get his rights. Jesus did not talk about this story prodigal child only because he was squandering the legacy of his father. Jesus never criticized nor delivered any judgments against him. He said the attitude of this young man in the wrong and his error has offered to men and women of all mankind an approach to the road whenever we made a conscious and obscure to become reasonably the distant horizon. should (always) stop after a long walk of life and life - was it political, social, economic, ideological and even religious-and-go in ourselves to make value judgments in any positive awareness of what has been done versus what should be done in our walk. Here the choice of a fresh start is needed. We all need a fresh start in our individual lives and in our collective life. Individually, each of us has seen him play on the stage of life the role of the prodigal son in his relationship with God, and his relationship of man to man with his fellows or with the whole of creation without too to stop and win, after evaluation of its human relationships and those with known ecological a new departure in the philosophy of being-with for a world where it's nice to live. Our reports are, unfortunately, the lowest acceptable level of imago dei, and do we live in our relationship for many as living in different degree, with pigs and mid-level of our thinking and our actions. In much, everything seems to give only politically, socially, economically, ideologically, even religiously every day is reflected first and after all from the belly of those who have responsibilities to speak in lieu of others, those who run businesses in which their countrymen. Even if it is proved in Scripture that eating and drinking are essential to life, this life is expected to include not exclude the other fellow. Collectively as Congolese, we were also overlooked prodigal sons of God. It looks like that we had, deliberate manner, asked our Heavenly Father to leave us alone to manage this great country with all its wealth of forest, water, precious materials, as peoples, ethnicities, languages and dialects, cultures, borders with nearly ten neighboring countries ... without having to account to God or anyone. We've gone too far in our imagination to be great at the heart of Africa without God, without having to master account does not answer to anyone or even our own consciousness. We've gone too far headlong into evil for evil to ourselves, our women our children, widows and orphans we have made and continue to build from the heart of our industry envious of power and money and at the cost of the shed blood of innocent women and children on earth that God was also given by our ancestors and even blood shed on the land of refuge. These dead people who remain alive in our hearts had unfortunately for defense weapon that their cry of distress at daylight to deaf ears of people with hearts animated by the desire to appear as the highlights of our time in our country. We've gone too far as this prodigal wasting in the orgy of corruption, embezzlement, falsification and the wealth that the father gave us as we all Congolese without exception. We've gone too far as this prodigal son to find normal and pleasant to live near pigs and breathe the smell of dirt. We have made our environment what it has become without worrying about the future of our children and ourselves. It is imperative that we do like this prodigal son: returning to ourselves and to impose a new beginning. A new beginning for our individual, collective, as Church, as a nation is "a great risk to run" to use Plato's thought. But you can not enter it without knowing what was the old start in life. Therefore appeal to our help memory 'retrospective analysis of what been our individual life, collective and that throughout our society, community, nation. The new beginning that we call our best wishes in this reflection can be seen in our individual and collective life thanks to a number of indicators. And indicators that we could gather for this reflection are: 1 . obliged to return the starting point after a retrospection The forced return to the starting point is very important for anyone who wants to impose a new start in life in his act. It raises the question where am I? What am I doing? What did I find myself in this situation? Where are we? What do we do? What did we find ourselves in this situation? The ideal here is accusing anybody. But it is humble to accuse first and then himself in front of his own conscience. We want to see and tell ourselves responsible for its failure. We humbly said: "I can not deny that I exist ... and it's something I found in its existence in its quest for growth, obstacles, resistances which do suffer and, in extreme cases, may deprive him of the existence "E. HURSSEL. This means a new beginning requires that we become aware of its existence, even if the obstacles, resistances we were almost crushed. That's true but we are not dead. We are still living. We can still hope and rely on God. Why return to the starting point? It is to withdraw into oneself, to wipe out all the mistakes of the past recorded and analyzed, starting from scratch with Christ which is the benchmark from our point of departure. Alas! Many of us have left Christ where we had met the day of our conversion, yet others believe that Christ can be transported, because they can not walk himself. The day you want to go with him we shall, if allowed, others believe that Christ can not speak as to advise, inform. Their Christ is dumb, blind or deaf, fortunately, this is not the case with our Christ the true God. Only little walk with Christ as their true friend. They discuss with him everything about their lives, their businesses, their projects, problems, etc.. They ask him advice: "Christ, what to do here? . And they pay attention to the guidelines of Christ because he was, is and will be. They are the reason for their life in Christ alone, and they rely on Him alone. They do not take the roads of the world that lead nowhere. They have their way: Jesus Christ. The way, truth, life. We need a fresh start. 2. The death of the ego. The death of the ego is also an indicator of a new beginning in our lives. Before going further, we must note the death of egology, egocentrism in our lives. The "I" selfish to leave his room for a stately We, that is to say, "I and others" will become the confession of faith in our lives. The death of three "I", "me", "me" in our lives is an indicator of a new beginning. It no longer said "the others do not exist," but it says "other also exist around me and their efforts are useful for my development." I am because they have been before me and they will be after me if I prepare the environment for them! But the selfish nature of man seems to live for alone and not for himself and others and this is seen in the Church, society, politics of the Nation: The ego is not dead yet. We must kill him and hold his funeral in broad daylight in this nation where it is forbidden to organize national mourning, but instead enact a national rejoicing, popular and full of thanksgiving to God. The ego must be removed because it is the guide of envy, jealousy, hatred of others, quarrels without probable cause or reason. Where was I, God will take place in our hearts. And the thought of God will reign in hearts of humans. Recommendation imperative that Jesus said "Seek ye first the kingdom and the righteousness of God and all things will be over." Mt 6, 33 will be our way of life on this earth. Unfortunately, our priorities are far from the quest or the kingdom, nor the justice of God among humans. We do not seek the kingdom of this transient world and only distribute justice unfair and corrupt men who accept these condemning the innocent and let free the guilty. We need a fresh start here in our life and soul of our nation in its everydayness. If we seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, He will take charge completely, totally, completely and fully the responsibility to meet all our needs. A new departure must always be in Mt 6, 33 goal, that is to say anyone who wants to succeed now in what he does or wants to know how to achieve this imperative goal of life: The daily quest the Kingdom and the righteousness of God. We need a fresh start in what we do. 3. The love of his enemies to be a daughter or son of God Being a son or daughter of God, requires us to love our enemies. The story that Martin Luther King tells us is a good example that leads to reconciliation rather than hatred that depresses us and destroying us. King writes: "Lincoln tried the experience of love and left to history a wonderful example of reconciliation. While he was campaigning for the presidency of the United States, one of its main enemies was named Stanton. For some reason Stanton hated Lincoln. He put all his energy to reduce the public eye. Hate Stanton for Lincoln was so deep that he drew the words discourteous, speaking of his physical appearance and tried to put constantly embarrassed by the diatribes of the most biting. But this did not prevent Lincoln from being elected President of the United States. Came time to choose his cabinet, where were his closest collaborators in the implementation of its program. He began by selecting it and then the holders of the various secretariats. The day finally came for Lincoln to choose who would fill the office of principal Secretary of War. Can you imagine that Lincoln chose for this position? None other than Stanton. It was a great uproar when the news spread. One after another Councillors came and said: 'Mr. President, you make a mistake. Do you know what Stanton? Are you aware of all the horrors it has charged against you? This is your enemy. It will seek to sabotage your program. Have you thought, Mr. President? 'The reply was polite and direct Lincoln:' Yes, I know Mr. Stanton. I am aware of the terrible things he has said against me. But having toured the nation, I think it's best for the job. " And Stanton became Secretary of War and Abraham Lincoln went to his country and its President invaluable services. A few years later, Lincoln was assassinated. Many praise him were awarded. Even today, millions of people admire him as the greatest of Americans (...) But what has been said in praise of Abraham Lincoln, nothing beyond the words of Stanton. Standing over the body of the man he had once hated, Stanton spoke of him as one of the greatest men the world has ever worn and said it now belongs to history. " If Lincoln had hated Stanton, both men are down enemies to the grave. But by the power of love, Lincoln was a friend of an enemy. It was the same attitude that enabled Lincoln to issue a kind word for the South during the Civil War, when the animosity was the strongest. Shocked, a lady has asked him how he could speak, Lincoln replied: 'Madam, this is not destroying my enemies to make them my friends? " This is the redemptive power of love. " Jesus in Mt 5, 43-45 says so compelling to anyone who says to Him and for Him is to live this teaching when he says: You have heard that it hath been said "Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate your enemy" But I say unto you "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, Do good to them that hate you and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, so you're son of your Father in heaven. " History of Lincoln's love for his former enemy and the core message Jesus in the Gospels in relation to love our enemies is an indicator of a new beginning. 4. Learning to live amid criticism, tribulations with humility, but also a indicators of a fresh start. Listen what Paul of Tarsus wrote about this when he addresses Corinthians (2Co 6, 1-10): "Since we work with God, we urge not to receive the grace of God in vain. For it is said to favorable weather, I heard you on the day of salvation I helped you. Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation. We do not give any cause for scandal in anything, so that the department is not an object of blame. But we are in all respects commendable, as servants of God, by many patient in tribulation, in disasters, in distresses, in beatings, imprisonments, the troubles in the works, in vigils, in fasting, by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by holy spirit, by a sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God through the offensive and defensive weapons of justice in the midst of the glory of ignominy in the middle of the bad and good reputation, being regarded as impostors, though true, as unknown, although well known, as dying and behold we live, as chastened, though not put to death as sorrowful and yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing and yet possessing all things. "This message also concerns us that we are not in Corinth. In this pericope we find the value of self-control, acceptance of humility that are of essential need in our lives, if we bear in patience the others who are not us, but with who we are called to live together in a fresh start individually and collectively. 5. Learn not to despise or underestimate the person in Life is one indicators of a new beginning for anyone who wants to succeed in life! Many of us have failed in life, simply because we have despised and / or underestimated the men and women who were in front of us. The story of David and Goliath speaks in his contempt and can be illustrated by an example for us. If we read in 1 Sam 7, 31-58 opposite the history of friendship between David and Jonathan tells us that although this last Prince of the Kingdom of Israel would not underestimate David son of a shepherd. May be because he thought to himself "You never know in life ...." And even the pericope of 1 Sam 18th to 20th chapters v23 tells us how Jonathan was open to God that he saw and David who was his vis-à-vis. Obviously he knew what would David, son of the innocent shepherd and shepherd himself in the tradition which says: "Like father, like son." But for Jonathan, God's plan that, his friend David would become king instead of Saul, his father, was predictable. The story makes clear how he king's son and potential successor to his father was prepared to bend to the will of God in the life of his friend David. It is important we ask ourselves some questions about this story involving in our life. Who knows God's plans for the one who is in front of him? Who can understand that a shepherd's son became king in Israel? This amounts to climb what level? What is present-Curriculum Vitae? And what political system is Royal? It is only God who can do such things in the lives of humans. He does what he wants and whenever he wants. But we must also say that poor self-image and negative thoughts that we release for ourselves and for others we destroy a lot. If we read in Judges 6, 14-1, we find a story of someone who thought he was small and weak in the world of his thoughts when he was great in God's thoughts. This is Gideon who underestimated him and even before God and his divine plan. We also need a new beginning in our thinking. The best way to combat our inferiority complex is to look at ourselves as God's plan and not according to times and circumstances that accompany us. Indeed God is the Master. Jeremiah also be underestimated without knowing that God had spent many nations prophet, when he was still a formless mass in the womb. Let us and see us in God's plan. We should always say: "If God be for us, who can be against us? . And be always on the side of God that even if a man or a woman can not achieve something because it's impossible, we say with faith and stronger as we can with God. If what we do for the glory of God is never done on this earth of men, we say with faith that God can always start with us for His glory. Because it is always the beginning. And nobody can predict or tell the rest of our lives. Because only one who can say the end is the end. We need a fresh start in our behavior. 6. Refuse to learn to always strive to please everyone in the faith S It is also an indicator of a new beginning for anyone who wants to succeed in life. Aaron's story is the crown of unfortunate examples that can exist. In Exodus 32, 1-6, it shows us how he wanted to please everyone. That the failure of his ministry. Because it is difficult to find clear name Aaron and his works about children of Israel after the story of the golden calf. That's why someone said: "I do not know certainly the secret of success, nor its roadmap, nor for its use. But I always remember that the secret of failure in life is trying to please everybody at once and often at the same time! ". Unfortunately we do we also in our life and we are failures in our bright everyday. A fresh start is very important as a regulator of behavior. 7. A new beginning is also indicated by an individual and collective discipline. anarchy, chaos, neglect inevitably lead to bankruptcy, ruin, misery. Unfortunately for many of us, these three concepts were the companions of our thinking in the old start. We need a revolution in our conduct. Discipline is favored by God from creation. Our world is the result of a tidy, methodical. God worked for six days following a plan in advance and scrupulously respected. We should follow the example of the order that God gives us in its creation. Allah loveth not mischief or negligence. He gives us time is precious. Take advantage of 24 hours per day they say to always start off right and the good side of life by reinventing every morning, every night, every day, every night, every week, every month, every year a new meaning to our individual and collective life in the midst of our fellows. And in so doing, a new beginning will actually make sense in our lives. |
| |
0 comments:
Post a Comment