Daily Bible Reflections - June 27,2013

TOO MUCH INITIATIVE

 

Sarai said to Abram: “The Lord has kept me from bearing children. Have intercourse, then, with my maid; perhaps I shall have sons through her.” – Genesis 16:2

 

It was an expensive sport shirt brand from the 70s that had an  embroidered logo of a face with a moustache and one eye. A guy who had that new shirt told his maid to take extra care in handling it. The maid obeyed and washed it carefully. But when she was about to iron it, she panicked when she saw that there was only one eye. She thought the other eye had gotten washed off! Instead of telling her boss about it, she did what she thought was best — she embroidered another eye!

       Isn’t that what we do sometimes? We have the best intentions but later on, we end up doing more damage than good. Take Sarah, for example. She gave her slave Hagar to Abraham in her desire to have an offspring. It was taking too long for God to fulfill His promise, so she took matters into her own hands and did the next best thing. But the next best thing is never good enough. This offspring, Ishmael, known as the Father of the Arabs, became the perpetual enemy of the Israelites.

  Only God can give the best. Ronna Ledesma (ronna_ledesma@yahoo.com.ph)

 

Reflection: Hell isn’t merely paved with good intentions; it’s walled and roofed with them. Yes, and furnished too. (A.Huxley)

 

Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me... (Psalm 25:4)

 

St. Cyril of Alexandrea, bishop and doctor ofthe Church, pray for us.