TERRIBLE LOYALTY
“Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.” – Matthew 21:31
In the movie, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,
the hobbit Bilbo Baggins was forced by the wizard Gandalf to accompany
13 dwarves on a mission to take back their homeland. He had a rough
start of it as their leader, Thorin Oakenshield, descendant of dwarf
kings, looked at him suspiciously.
It was only when Bilbo risked himself to save Thorin from certain death
that the head dwarf sought forgiveness for doubting him. Bilbo
humorously answered, “No, it’s fine. I would have doubted me, too.”
Sometimes, we think only our group or our kind knows what is right. And yet, many times, we are proven wrong.
Gandalf vouched for Bilbo’s character when he said, “Saruman believes
it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what
I have found. I found it is the small, everyday deeds of ordinary folk
that keep the darkness at bay — small acts of kindness and love. Why
Bilbo Baggins? That’s because I am afraid and he gives me courage.”
Let us not judge others because we don’t know their motives. For all we
know, the “hobbit” among us is the one who will save us. Joy Sosoban-Roa (jsosoban@gmail.com)
Reflection: “We are all in the same boat in a stormy sea, and we owe each other a terrible loyalty.” (G.K. Chesterton)
Lord,
break down the wall of fear, suspicion and selfishness that keeps me
from acknowledging my neighbor. Let me see You in them.
St. Wenceslaus, martyr, pray for us.
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