Daily Bible Reflections - July 3,2013

Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle        

 

OUR FATHER

 

You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God. – Ephesians 2:19

 

Reading U.S. President Barack Obama’s memoir, Dreams from My Father, I gained an insight into how a black man feels growing up in a place dominated by white people and their history, their culture and their way of thinking. Obama felt so out of place, so lost, so hungry for identity that it led him to study, research and return to his roots in his father’s place in Kenya. There he met his relatives and learned to accept and integrate within himself the dichotomy that he was—being born of a white mother and yet having the dark skin of his father.

       For us who are baptized Catholics, we need to realize and accept that we are at a different level of relationship from those who just honor Jesus as a wise man. As members of His household, we ought to follow His example of sacrificial service and love.

       As disciples, there should be no dichotomy within us — we are in the world, but not of this world. Let’s all strive to keep this in mind. Joy Sosoban (jsosoban@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: Enable me to serve You well, my Lord.

 

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

 

St. Thomas, Apostle, pray for us.