9th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Mt 7:21-27)

Success according to Human and God

Introduction

- What is the criterion of the world to evaluate the performance (fruits)? The key work in the evaluation is “success”.

- Does Jesus give much importance to success? Jesus’ criterion to measure someone is not “success” but “faithfulness”.

Content

- If success is the key term in evaluation of any performance, what are its implications?

o Meeting the target at any cost. The problem with today’s job market is this. If you fail to meet the target you are not worthy.

o Jesus himself was considered as a failure when the people at the time of Jesus evaluated him since “he died on the cross”.

o If God measures us with the criterion of success according to the talents given to us, we all will be in trouble. We never use the talents and abilities given to us at its maximum.

o Concerned about the external appearance “goals and performance”.

- If faithfulness is the key term for evaluation of any performance, how it will be?

o It is more concentrated on the process, “how do we do?”

o Our sincerity and efforts are more important than the result as such.

o It is concerned with internal dimension “connectedness and faithfulness”.

- The example of a branch of a vine. The primary duty of a branch is not to produce fruit, but be faithfully attached to the vine. The rest will follow.

- The parable of houses mentions the same. The house built on the rock was praise worthy not because it was beautiful in its external appearance, but in its base.

- Jesus tells to those who did many things in the name of Jesus, “I never knew you. Depart from me, you evil doers”.

- A student who gets suma cum laude may be equal to a student who gets just passing grade. Because God looks into the effort that each individual puts into or faithfulness to the intellect (talent) that is given to the student.

- Who is a good parent? Is it the one who build mansions for the next generation (external) or the one who loves and cares the children and bring them up in good catholic faith?

Conclusion

- Jesus is never against success. In the parable of Talents he looks for the fruits. But the most important element is our sincere efforts by attaching ourselves to Jesus.

- “Listen to the word of mine and acts on them will be a wise man” at the sight of Jesus.