Reflection for June 9, 2024

Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

​Genesis 3:9-15 | Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 | 2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1 | Mark 3:20-35

​Dogs are oblivious to discontent, evil, or jealousy as they're too busy loving everyone selflessly. Today, I propose a new beatitude: "Blessed are those who have dogs!" Dogs are mentioned in the Bible 18 times, that makes them important figures, doesn't it? As we return to ordinary Sundays, let these adorable companions inspire us to acknowledge our mistakes, work diligently for God's glory, and embrace repentance rather than avoiding God's grace.

​Jill received her first beagle, Scarlet, when she was five years old, and Scarlet has been her faithful companion ever since. Now approaching her 13th birthday in July, Jill expressed to her mom Bessie that she wished for a younger sister as a birthday gift. Her mom, surprised by the request, questioned why she desired a sibling. Jill explained, "I'd like a little sister because there's only so much I can blame on my dog." This notion of shifting blame is rooted in human nature, where it seems everything is constantly someone else's fault.

Our first reading from Genesis recounts a story well-known to all of us: the fall of the first man and woman. Tempted by the serpent, they disobeyed God and ate from the forbidden tree. When God called out to Adam, he responded that he hid because he was naked and afraid. This led to a series of blame-shifting between Adam, Eve, and the serpent. Neither Adam nor Eve fully admitted their wrongdoing. Instead of owning up to their disobedience, they sought to place the blame elsewhere. God did not ask them to identify the enemy but to acknowledge their actions. In a state of deception, we often forget our responsibility to avoid being deceived. Our fallen nature predisposes us to fail, causing hurt to God, others, and ourselves. However, we must take responsibility and humbly admit our mistakes, seeking forgiveness. Had Adam and Eve asked for forgiveness, God would have swiftly come to their aid and forgiven them immediately. God cannot forgive us if we hide after falling from grace, but there is always hope. God, embodying love and mercy, calls to us, waiting patiently for our response. With the Lord, there is mercy and complete redemption.

A few years back, I opened my door to search for my slippers and was startled to find a small unfamiliar dog holding them in its mouth. Pleased with this unexpected delivery, I gave the dog some treats. However, the next morning, I was shocked to find the same dog waiting outside my door, wagging its tail, and surrounded by eight pairs of slippers. I then spent the rest of the morning returning the slippers to their rightful owners.

The passage of our second reading, like those of the previous two Sundays, is from a part of 2 Corinthians where Paul defends his apostleship against the false apostles who had come to Corinth. These false apostles boasted of their own qualifications and achievements. In contrast, Paul relies solely on his faith and his beliefs. Paul first embraces the gospel himself before preaching it to others. His faith is straightforward: belief in God who raised Jesus from the dead, and the hope that God will also raise both Paul and his converts. This hope helps Paul endure his sufferings as an apostle. His efforts lead to an increase in grace, resulting in more people converting to faith and producing the fruits of the Spirit. Paul asserts that all of this is to the glory of God. If you're going through tough times or facing persecution while trying to follow God's will, it's really important to keep your faith strong. Life's challenges can be overwhelming and test your limits, but keeping hope in God's promises can give you the strength to keep going. Believing that God will reward your faithfulness can be a big comfort and encouragement. In the end, staying faithful and persevering through hardship will honor God. When people see your steadfastness and the rewards of your faith, it shows God's faithfulness and love. Your journey through suffering not only builds your own faith but also inspires and uplifts those around you, bringing glory to God.

Every night, my dog Coffee sleeps in his crate and always receives a treat beforehand, expecting it eagerly. When I get up after 9:00 pm, he becomes excited, waiting by the cupboard where the cookies are kept. However, if Coffee misbehaves and we discover his wrongdoing, like chewing Jill's sneakers or peeing on the couch, he doesn't expect a treat. He'll even retreat to his crate without one, knowing he's done something wrong. In those moments, I reassure him with cuddles, saying, "You have been a bad dog today, but I still love you," and give him the treat when he stares at me with puppy eyes.

In Christian theology, our gospel today discusses the idea of an unforgivable sin, often termed "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit." This sin encompasses various offenses against the Holy Spirit, including despair of salvation, presumption of grace, obstinacy to sin, resisting known truth, envy of another's spiritual welfare, and final impenitence.  These actions represent a clear rejection of God's mercy. But can there truly be a sin beyond God's forgiveness? Our mistakes don't define us. The only unforgivable act to God is when we fall and choose to stay down instead of rising and reconnecting with Christ. Essentially, sins become unpardonable only when they're not repented. Each time we err, God patiently waits for us to recognize our fault, genuinely regret it, and seek forgiveness. Reflecting on the message of Our Lady of Fatima, we're urged to change our ways and seek forgiveness for our offenses. We should strive to stop hurting our Lord, who is already deeply wounded. Since God's grace knows no bounds, there's no sin too great for God to forgive. In the depths of sin, God's grace shines even brighter.

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