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Reflection for Bellarmine's December Liturgy David Chiang The reading from Luke’s Gospel today shows us one very important thing about Jesus. He brought God’s Word not through mere repetition of what God said, but rather, through his actions. He healed the sick, raised the dead, and comforted the poor. Through his actions, Jesus was able to give the people the experience of God’s love and His presence. It’s easy for me, as a person, to criticize others and speak as if I were greater than they were. It’s a lot easier for me to go about in my daily life thinking these things without one deed to back it up. But the truth is, I am a sinner, just like everyone else. Pride. It’s one of my greatest faults, yet one of the greatest learning experiences I could ever have. To be honest, when Jesus tells me to love and serve others…I don’t. Sure, I treat the average-Joe with respect here and there, but when it comes to actually serving those in need, just like Jesus, I don’t. I do the minimum, and then some, but it doesn’t feel like enough. Oh, I’m “too busy” doing other things like school work and doing extracurricular activities, but who isn’t? Oh, I don’t know how to drive, and I can’t get rides to community service centers…that’s just an excuse. Among the many others, you’ll notice one theme. It’s all about me. Luckily, Zephaniah promises that God will forgive us and renew us, no matter what our sins. The key to this, however, is that once you are forgiven and renewed, it’s still up to you to act upon that renewal and live the Gospel message as Jesus did. Actions speak louder than words. We all know that. Through my actions, I wish to let the presence of God flow through me and to others, letting them see God in the world. In the small amount of community service I have done, I’ve felt as if I’ve done just that. Their names were Jonathan and Henry. Jonathan had an older sister and a brother and Henry had an older brother, a Bellarmine graduate actually. Both were mentally handicapped and needed one-on-one care. For two years I worked with them, one year with Jonathan and the next with Henry. Parents can only go so far in playing with their children. Sometimes, someone closer to their age makes things a lot better. I remember one time, Jonathan was crying and wouldn’t stop. I thought to myself, “God, help me. Show me something to let this boy find the peace he wants.” I don’t know why, but for some reason, the next thing I knew, I was picking up a book from the bookshelf and reading to him. He quieted down, and for the next hour, I just read to him. Book after book. Page after page. Picture after picture. As this season of Advent continues, perhaps it’s time that we let our actions speak for us and show Jesus’ presence to those around us. Show the poor and the oppressed that there really is hope out there. Show those who are unloved the love of God. Shower the people you love, with love. <
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