26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 27, 2009

Nm 11:25-29
Jas 5:1-6
Mk 9:38-43.45.47-48

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The majority of us Christians are good.  Why?  Here and there Christians are convinced that it is better after all to do good than to do evil.  Despite the fight between two kingdoms, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of Satan, still many Christians support the good rather than the evil.

Many Christians, including non-Catholics, prefer to create a society of good people.  Parents, teachers, and church people do their share in influencing the present generation to be good so that we hope for a better future.  We educate the present young people to mature in such a way that as future leaders we will be enjoying the good rather than the evils of the World.

When we realized that groups and groups of people are doing good, we need to encourage them.  Those who do not do good, we have to practice Christian tolerance and have the patience to wait for their cooperation looking more on their good will than in their apparent bad will.  Those who do good in anyway different from the way we do, let them continue because if they are not against us, they are for us.

Many organizations arose and how much good they are doing indeed.  Clubs here and there proliferate and members of these clubs are known for their social good qualities.  Those who decided not to join such clubs but continue living a good life are pluses for our present Christianity.  Never mind some negatives for this world of ours is still an imperfect world.

Feel confident that the good will triumph.  Victory may be hard earned, but we will conquer.  Begin, however, to establish a foothold in the hearts and minds of people so that we are to win them for Christ.  Christ works by using us as his instruments for good.  Sometimes, it is also good  to begin the same purpose in our own selves.  We should not doubt that we are for Christ.

When we find people very sincere in making others led a holy life, and they want to save themselves just as well as they are ministering into, we should not stone them but let them proceed, for in this way we are multiplying more future citizens of heaven.

We, Catholics, should not monopolize salvation.  Allow God to work freely in many ways.  Truly, let us be humble enough to admit that many had reached heaven even if they were not Christians or Catholics.  Let the will of God be done.



Fr. Dominador Fernandez, SVD
Divine Word College of Vigan
Vigan City