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Millennials are the selfie generation.
Wherever they go & do, it is out in public.
Hiding your achievements is more difficult.
Social media posts express whatever you feel, think, say.
But when you express everything….
Bashers will oppose your social posts.
directly or indirectly…..
What are we going to do when everything is out in the open?
Keep it Low key.
Proclaiming Jesus thru social media is for everyone to see.
But placing spotlight about ourselves…
Is a different.
We need more privacy unlike before.
We do not need to be at the center stage all the time.
Be on the background.
My millennial friend real life experience:
Placed his raw, opinionated ideas for social posts.
Added everyone even if he did not know them well.
Friends reached 1,000.
A social network you barely know.
He told me he did not cared for bashers.
After few months….
He regret his actions.
Realized he was irresponsible for using social media.
Raw posts with people he barely knew.
Gospel for today reflects that need to be on the background.
Not on the center of greatness.
Apostles arguing…..
“who is the greatest in kingdom of God?”
Jesus said: the least
The least person who cared for attention or rank.
Is the greatest.
God’s Kingdom Trend: highest honor for those who lower themselves like a child.
The humble one is the greatest.
They do not want too much attention.
Or superiority over others.
They wait for authority to be given.
Humble people are silent doers.
They do not broadcast everything.
They are comfortable to be on the background.
Comfortable in lowest rank or leader rank.
They instead let others shine.
That is what we need in this internet age.
First reading is about God promising to dwell in Jerusalem.
Zechariah’s prophecy fulfilled through Jesus.
God is a faithful God.
Monday Sept 30 2019
First Reading ZECHARIAH 8:1-8
And the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. Thus says the LORD: I will return to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts, the holy mountain. Thus says the LORD of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets. Thus says the LORD of hosts: If it is marvelous in the sight of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvelous in my sight, says the LORD of hosts? Thus says the LORD of hosts: Behold, I will save my people from the east country and from the west country; and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be my people and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.
What do these verses mean to me?
● Zechariah is a prophet
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, & I am jealous for her with great wrath.
Jealous x 2.
● God loves Israel.
● God does not want any other god loved by his people.
I will return to Zion, & will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, & Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts, the holy mountain – God
● God is promising to dwell in Jerusalem.
Catholic Christian point of view: Jesus is the one to come to dwell in Jerusalem.
● God is faithful with His promises.
Old men & old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.
● Blessing of God to Israel from exile:
– people are free
– people will have long life, reaching old age
– next generation promised as having kids
If you live in a foreign land as a slave, you are not sure if you will see your grand children.
Nothing is sure.
God freed them to have the security they need.
Behold, I will save my people from the east country and from the west country; and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be my people and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.
● God is a God that saves his people
● God wants us to be his people & to make Him our God
● He is a faithful God
We are gentiles.
Thru Jesus, God the Father’s promise passed on to us….
As adopted children of God.
Gospel LUKE 9:46-50
And an argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But when Jesus perceived the thought of their hearts, he took a child and put him by his side, and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me; for he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” John answered, “Master, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him; for he that is not against you is for you.”
What do these verses mean to me?
1.Apostles arguing with each other
● argued among themselves who was the greatest
● They are like you & me, imperfect people
● Looked for power of influence with Jesus & his kingdom
Who is the greatest on the 12 disciples?
Jesus gave apostles a different answer
A humbling answer.
for he who is least among you all is the one who is great – Jesus
2. Humility is what Jesus looks for
The least person is the humble person.
The one who did not ask for power or influence…
who did not dream of power or influence over his fellow apostles.
Someone comfortable being inferior in rank or social status.
The humble person is the greatest of all.
Apostles who wanted to be the greatest now has to stop looking for highest rank.
They realized they need to lower themselves in humility.
The lower you go, the higher you will be in the Kingdom of God.
3. Child set as example of Humility by Jesus
Children in Jesus’ time
– can not vote
– not citizens
– dependent on family’s guidance
– follow elders all the time
– no voice in society
– disregarded in social status
– no political influence or power
Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, & whoever receives me receives him who sent me – Jesus
Jesus wants us to accept children.
And everyone who is like children.
Those who have no political power or influence.
The disregarded in society.
Those who has no voice.
4. John the Beloved did not want other people casting demons out in Jesus name, but Jesus explained
John said
Master, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he does not follow with us.”
Because the person is not a follower of Jesus.
Not part of the 12 apostle team.
Jesus’ answer
Do not forbid him; for he that is not against you is for you.
Even if the person is not part of your church, if they believe in Jesus Christ,
We respect them.
They are not against us.
We are still brothers & sisters in Jesus in different churches.
Though I will never step out from my mother Catholic Church…
It is my duty to treat fellow Christians from other churches with love & respect.
Love is what Jesus wants for us to share.
Not division.
Not superiority.
What does it relate to Jesus?
● Jesus understands us with our imperfections
● Jesus wants us to be great by becoming humble
● He wants us to accept children, unnoticed & disregarded by society
● He does not want division among fellow Jesus’ believers
● Let us be united & not dwell on our differences
● Jesus is not exclusive for a special group of people
● Jesus is for everyone
Drink Daily: God`s Word 