Daily Bible Reflections- January 16, 2012

AMPAW

“Obedience is better than sacrifice…”– 1 Samuel 15:22

When I was a kid I liked ampaw. It’s a sweet delicacy made of puffed rice covered with syrup. The kind that I liked best were those that appeared big with nothing inside but air. This quality may be good for an ampaw but not for people. You see lots of these types today, right? Even in churches and communities. They appear religious outside, but, well... you know what I mean. For them, the outside rituals are more important — how you kneel, how you raise your hand, how you recite your prayers.
The people of the law in the Old Testament and many religious leaders during Jesus’ time were of this type. Of course, these practices aren’t bad. The laws, the rites, the rituals are not without purpose. Our Church is rich in symbolism and meaning that it may
present to us the God who deserves order and full reverence.
When we meet Jesus in heaven I wonder if He would ask us how we did things more than why we did them. Or better, I think He’ll ask us, “What happened to you and to others as you did your good works?”
I bet He would be more interested in what’s inside of us than what appears outside. Alvin Barcelona (alvinbarcelona@gmail.com)
16
REFLECTION:
Ask yourself: The last time you went to church, did you go out of obligation or love?

Dear Lord, receive today my humble sacrifice – a heart whose true desire is to love You more. Amen.

St. Bernard and Companions, pray for us.