An American warship
was transporting wounded Japanese prisoners during World War II. The medical
officer took such excellent care of the prisoners that some American officers
protested. “Treat those animals the same way that they treat our wounded,” they
said. The medical officer responded:
“Let them play by their rules. I play by a different set of rules, and if that bothers anyone, I’m sorry. I’m going to do my best to replace whatever hatred they have in their hearts with love.
Saturday, May 16, 2020 - Liturgy
“Let them play by their rules. I play by a different set of rules, and if that bothers anyone, I’m sorry. I’m going to do my best to replace whatever hatred they have in their hearts with love.
That’s the only way
we’re ever going to have peace in this world.”
****
What set of rules
do we usually play by— the world’s rules or the rules of Jesus? “He drew a
circle that shut me out—Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout. But love and I had
the wit to win. We drew a circle that took him in.” Edwin Markham, “Outwitted”
****
In life, we are often confronted with the two ways of deciding and acting. There is the way of the world, which is always more popular and also easier to follow. But a deeper reflection would tell us that the way of the world is inevitably a selfish and self-centered approach which does not bring about much good.
The other way is the way of Jesus. It is obviously a more difficult way, but one that leads us to discover the meaning of life and wonders of love. As it is, the world talks about retribution, revenge, to think about ourselves and to be No. 1 even at all costs.
The way of Jesus shows us sacrifice, humility, love and care for others. To follow the way of Jesus can result in scorn and contempt. Others will see us as weak and soft and will even call us losers. Yet, in the end, the way of Jesus has proven to be a more gentle and yet more powerful way that brings about the beauty and the meaning of love. Let us remember that we serve only one Master. Hence, for us it is only His way.
In life, we are often confronted with the two ways of deciding and acting. There is the way of the world, which is always more popular and also easier to follow. But a deeper reflection would tell us that the way of the world is inevitably a selfish and self-centered approach which does not bring about much good.
The other way is the way of Jesus. It is obviously a more difficult way, but one that leads us to discover the meaning of life and wonders of love. As it is, the world talks about retribution, revenge, to think about ourselves and to be No. 1 even at all costs.
The way of Jesus shows us sacrifice, humility, love and care for others. To follow the way of Jesus can result in scorn and contempt. Others will see us as weak and soft and will even call us losers. Yet, in the end, the way of Jesus has proven to be a more gentle and yet more powerful way that brings about the beauty and the meaning of love. Let us remember that we serve only one Master. Hence, for us it is only His way.
****
Introduction
The world that has rejected Christ hates Christ
and his disciples; it persecutes them because the lifestyle of a good Christian
is a silent condemnation of the world. Think, for example, of the films by Luis
Bunuel, the Spanish director, who is obsessed by everything Christian and holds
it up to bitter sarcasm. Perhaps, more deadening than persecution is the
attitude of a world that has not discovered Christ or has a distorted view of
him and of Christianity. To these people, we are ridiculous, old-fashioned,
irrelevant, out of touch with reality, and worthy of a pitying smile. Yet this
was the lot of Christ. We share in his love, and also in the treatment he is
given by the world. The disciple is no better than the master. In the disciple,
the world still rejects Christ, the Master. At least, we are in good company…
Penitential Rite
- Lord, as you prepare us for the mission to a world
that hated you, LHM
-Christ, as you remind us that we don’t belong to
this world, CHM
-Lord, as you warn us to be prepared for any
persecution in our mission in this world, LHM
Opening Prayer
Lord, our God, it is good to live in the
friendship of your Son, Jesus Christ. Make us realize that also in this love, we
are committed to him and share with him for better and for worse, in
misunderstanding and contradiction as well as in joy and intimacy. Help us to
rejoice, even when treated with indifference or ridicule on account of him, for
it means that he is still with us, who is our Lord forever.
General Intercessions
– That our missionaries may be
guided by the Holy Spirit to bring the joy of Easter to other people and
cultures, we pray: – That like the early Christians, those
who are persecuted on account of the Lord may retain their joy of witnessing to
the Lord, we pray: – That like Jesus, our Lord, we may be
willing and eager to render service to people, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord, our God, your Son Jesus, pours for us the
cup of joy, but it can also become at times a cup of sorrow to be emptied to
the dregs. May his Spirit guide us to stay with him when the going is rough as
he stays always with us, who is our Lord forever.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God, we thank you for the joy of sharing
the table of your Son in this Eucharistic celebration. Make our faith be strong
enough to share all of the life of Jesus, even when he is rejected or ignored, and
we with him. Make us understand that his Paschal Mystery is both death and life
and the way we have to live with Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Blessing
The message of Christ is not always a comfortable
message, it also has to speak of the cross. But speak we must, even in the face
of ridicule and contradiction. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the
Son, and the Holy Spirit.
