Thursday, 3 March 2016

Thursday of the 3rd Week of Advent

We sometimes come across some people who seem to think that they have life figured out, as if they are in full control of their life, or they think that they are masters of their own destiny, or that they seem to have a plan in life. Such people, especially when they seem to be doing well in life, begin to think that all that they have achieved is due to their own efforts, hard work and determination. But behind the facade, the show of confidence, there may be issues that these people are facing, of which there seems to be no plan. When these people find themselves without a solid, reliable plan to face such issues, then what happens? If you are in their shoes, what would you do?

God has a plan for us, and He invites us to participate in His plan. His plan is that all of us are to be with Him. In today's Gospel, we come across some people who chose to stick to God's plan, while others chose to reject it. The Gospel tells us: "All the people who heard him, and the tax collectors too, acknowledged God's plan by accepting baptism from John; but by refusing baptism from him the Pharisees and the lawyers had thwarted what God had in mind for them." God did not abandon the Pharisees and the lawyers, and invited them to play according to His plan, but they chose to do things their own way, thinking adamantly that their way was a better way compared to God's plan.

Likewise, we too are invited to play according to God's plan. God does not force us to be a part of His plan, but we know from history that God's ways are far better than human ways. It is a question of whether we trust in Him and are humble and willing to let Him be our providence and guide.

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