JUST LIKE CAIN

“If you do well, you can hold up your head…” – Genesis 4:7

There’s a boy I know who tries so hard to get the approval of his parents. Thing is, he does foolish things to compete with his siblings for attention. He’s intelligent and street smart but, because of the trouble he gets himself into, what he gets is disfavor. He refuses to understand that approval is a prize for being good. Just like Cain, he has become bitter and jealous.
To be competitive is a good thing. However, if it is motivated by jealousy and greed, it destroys one’s being. In the Gospel today, Jesus refused to give the Pharisees a miraculous sign. He did not give in to the pressure of proving His detractors wrong. His quiet confidence in doing the work of His Father spoke so loud that people flocked to and believed in Him.
Oftentimes we need not try too hard to gain approval. That’s because good works will always earn us respect and favor. God said to Cain, “If you do well, you can hold up your head.”
Now, wouldn’t it feel good to get a pat on the back for something you did well without having to compete for it?Nova Arias (nova.svp@gmail.com)
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REFLECTION:
Compete only with yourself, striving to be better than who you are.