Mattew 12
We live in a very, very confusing world. There are so many divisions – among races, regions. There is so much distrust – against authorities, governments. We are constantly suspicious – between the haves and the have-nots, between sexes. And we are skeptical more than ever – about traditional values, morality, religions, and finally even about family. Everyone says he’s right. But we don’t know who to trust. Can we trust our family? I saw many children ignore their parents’ wishes on the wills. Some say you can trust only money these days because everyone obeys money. Too bad, then, since I don’t have enough money!
In our times, it is not easy to find someone trustworthy. Perhaps it has never been easy. Today Jesus answers this question of who to trust. And he calls these trustworthy people as his mother, his brother, and his sister. These are the ones who do the will of his Father in heaven. And we know what the Father’s will is – to love one another.
But this word “to love” is so elusive. Everyone says “I love you” but I see there are so many broken hearts. Many activist movements declare their quests are for a society of love and justice, but I see more hatred and corruption fill our land. How can I tell if someone truly loves? How can I tell if someone is trustworthy? How can I say if someone is a true family of Jesus?
An act of love does not come back to the one who acts as his benefit. An act of love is giving without receiving. The actor of love does not possess the receiver of his love as an object. The actor of love is not above the receiver. The actor of love doesn’t have the receiver within his power of control. All benefits of love belong to the receiver. A mother who suffers from the labour and feeds her baby with her breasts gives life to her child without receiving anything. Her delight lies only in the benefit of her child. That is why we trust our mothers.
On the other hand, all other acts come back to the actor with certain benefits. Not only intentional self-benefitting actions but also even unintentional acts such as walking and drinking bring benefits to the actor. However pleasantly and politely a store staff greets and helps us, we do not call it an act of love.
Let us see how many people around us really give without receiving. I always find more of these trustworthy people not in blood relationship but in faith relationship. Once again, the word of Jesus is a true prophecy.
