Thursday, November 14, 2013. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa.  

Wisdom 7:22 - 8:1; Psalm 118[119]:89-91, 130, 135, 175; Gospel : Luke 17:20-25. [Please share today's Gospel with family, friends/neighbors.]

Focus:  ‘God loves nothing so much as the person who lives with wisdom’ (Wisdom 7:28)

‘Knowledge is knowing that the tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not using it in a fruit salad.’ This quote tells us that knowledge should be used wisely.

Jesus wants us to use all our resources – physical, mental and spiritual – to build His kingdom. He says, “The kingdom of God is among you” (Luke 17:21). He wants us to prepare others to carry on His work, especially by nurturing our children – His gifts to us. This is where we truly need wisdom (Focus).

Today India celebrates Children’s Day. The usual tendency is to glance out of the window and feel sorry for the street kids. We pass disparaging remarks on how their parents lack wisdom in their upbringing and even question their right to have children. We express shock when the parents sometimes beat them. We are quick to condemn it as child abuse.

Are our children not abused? Our ambitions often pressurize them. School, tuitions, dance class, music class, art class, etc., leave them little time to enjoy a simple childhood. How much quality time do we give the kids? Is it the wisdom of God when one parent takes the kids and walks out on the other for flimsy reasons with sophisticated justification? Are the children one parent’s personal property?

Fruit: Give me the wisdom, O Lord, to love my children as You do and bring them up according to Your Word.