The title for our meditation today is: Initiative of Believers. In a village settlement, the road to the primary school is always flooded for several days even though the rain already stopped. As a consequence, people always take off their sandals or shoes, then roll up their trousers so they don't get wet and dirty. The teachers who pass by there, always took off their shoes and rolled up their trousers. Students also do the same. But there occurs something special.
Rio, a grade 4 elementary school boy, collected several stones he found around the place. He put a stone along the puddle. As a result, anyone who passes there after Rio, can stand and walk on these stones, without having to take off the shoes and roll up the trousers. Rio made an initiative that nobody else thought of.
The word "initiative" comes from the Latin "itiare" or "initium" means starting or beginning. For a job or work, the initiative means to take or make the first step and make a breakthrough. In the Gospel passage we have just heard, the Lord Jesus explains that the rich master praises his clever employee, even though he is dishonest because he manipulates the data of his master's debts.
This "clever" attitude is interpreted as the ability to forsee the future. The employee represents many of us who often worried about tomorrow. There are people who save a lot in the bank. The other invest many in the form of properties. Still others want to guarantee their future by sending their children and grandchildren to the best schools and universities. These are all forms of initiative. People can do some initiatives through dishonest ways like that employee of the rich master, or vice versa in true and honest ways. We will be pleased by God for being able to count for our future, for a better and joyful life.
For the spiritual life, we need spiritual initiatives. Saint Paul describes his future as bright as Jesus Christ, so that he could serve other nations, especially the Romans as expected. They were promised a glorious spiritual dwelling in the future as children of light, to enjoy happiness in the Kingdom of God. Initiative in faith teaches us to take the first step to enlighten those who are confused, anxious, hopeless and lost in their faith journey; being a peacemaker in the midst of hatred and anger; become the creator of justice rather than the ghost of injustice; become a bearer of truth rather than spreading lies and deception. And much more. This is the future that God wants.
Let's pray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord Jesus Christ, enlighten us always in the path of our lives day by day, that we may walk without barriers toward you. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...
