The greatest atrocities that history has witnessed were made by men and women who sought to build societies without God:
- the invaders killed citizens
- settlers killed Indians
- the Nazis killed their neighbors
- Communists killed their bosses
- feminists killed unborn children
The world without God seemed small and they felt the need to reduce human numbers so more was available for those remaining. The justification for these killings was based in:
- hatred,
- revenge
- liberty
- military or racial supremacy
- and ecology
They forgot that God created the world out of nothing and that under this truth, the world is inexhaustible. If God wants it, He can provide whatever is necessary so that the world continues to exist.
Today's reading is from the Book of Judges. Jotham appears in this passage, also Abimelech his brother and the men of Shechem. Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, cursed Abimelech because he killed his seventy brothers and proclaimed himself king. Since Abimelech was supported by the men of Shechem, Jotham also cursed them.
Ask the Holy Spirit for help and continue reading.
7 When this was reported to him, Jotham went to the top of Mount Gerizim, and standing there, cried out to them in a loud voice: "Hear me, citizens of Shechem, that God may then hear you!
8 Once the trees went to anoint a king over themselves. So they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us.'
9 But the olive tree answered them, 'Must I give up my rich oil, whereby men and gods are honored, and go to wave over the trees?'
10 Then the trees said to the fig tree, 'Come; you reign over us!'
11 But the fig tree answered them, 'Must I give up my sweetness and my good fruit, and go to wave over the trees?'
12 Then the trees said to the vine, 'Come you, and reign over us.'
13 But the vine answered them, 'Must I give up my wine that cheers gods and men, and go to wave over the trees?'
14 Then all the trees said to the buckthorn, 'Come; you reign over us!'
15 But the buckthorn replied to the trees, 'If you wish to anoint me king over you in good faith, come and take refuge in my shadow. Otherwise, let fire come from the buckthorn and devour the cedars of Lebanon.'
16 "Now then, if you have acted in good faith and honorably in appointing Abimelech your king, if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and with his family, and if you have treated him as he deserved -
17 for my father fought for you at the risk of his life when he saved you from the power of Midian;
18 but you have risen against his family this day and have killed his seventy sons upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his handmaid, king over the citizens of Shechem, because he is your kinsman -
19 if, then, you have acted in good faith and with honor toward Jerubbaal and his family this day, rejoice in Abimelech and may he in turn rejoice in you.
20 But if not, let fire come forth from Abimelech to devour the citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo, and let fire come forth from the citizens and from Beth-millo to devour Abimelech."
21 Then Jotham went in flight to Beer, where he remained for fear of his brother Abimelech.[1]
Points for reflection.
- Atheists make their plans and projects without consulting God and only manage to diminish people. A person has a mission in life intended by God from eternity. Everyone has to find his mission in life and accomplish it. The mission that God has for each person is sweeter, more fruitful and wonderful than any human plan.
- God's plans are always looking to increase life and love. The plans of men have a limited horizon and only consider how to share what their eyes see. God's plans are inclusive for the whole human race, while the men have plans for a limited number of beneficiaries.
- Stay away from people who recommend that you hurt your brothers. These people seek a world without God, an exclusive world.
Let us pray to Mary and ask her intercession as we celebrate her feast day, to teach us to have an inclusive heart like hers. She is Mother of God and of all human beings.
No comments:
Post a Comment