The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. Many people followed him, and he cured them all, but he warned them not to make Him known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah, the prophet. -Matt 12:15-16
Friends,
God is good all the time!
We must deal with some things in life that we never sign up for or wish to choose. How easy does it get dealing with a protracted pain, a terminal illness, losses from the death of a family member or a friend, job, and money. When we consider the present pandemic and the harsh reality of keeping our distances from family and friends and wearing masks in public spaces, it is even more awful!
Managing our lives through all these scenarios may require us to be strategic in our thinking and actions.
So, as we continue to swim upstream against the pandemic’s highest tides, do not be caught in the politicization of it. Believe me, we learn from strategic decision-making experts that in all typical political decisions, behaviors like lobbying, controlling agendas, withholding information, behind-the-scenes coalition building, and cooptation are engaged in to enhance the power of one group over another or to influence decision outcomes to the personal advantage.
This is where, as Christians, we must be “Christegically” strategic in our decisions and our ways. Take Jesus' strategic approach to life. Several times in the gospel, like the one for today, the Pharisees conspired to kill Him. However, once He realizes their plot, He would quickly withdraw to a different location to avoid falling into their traps (cf. Matt12:15-16; Lk 4:29). Jesus was not afraid of death. On the contrary, it was a destiny He embraced. But He was not going to risk the gospel message and confront the opposition squarely to show His might or power. It was not a good trade-off. He would wait for the appointed time (cf. Jn 13:1).
Christians follow the principles of Christ, our leader, and master. The Bible says, "in your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). That is what I call “Christegic” thinking and living. Our lives are meaningful because we have God's soul and life-giving spirit in us, which we cannot trade it off for political propaganda.
No one, no political power or stateman has shown more exceptional compassion and sensitivity to humanity's vulnerability than Jesus Christ. Therefore, we must imitate Him, and if that requires us to wear masks as we come to our parish church especially or go to other public places, let us do it; for it is the will of God that we keep God’s children safe.
Prayer blessing: Lord, like St. Paul, who urges us to imitate him as he imitates you, make our hearts docile to you and your spirit so that we may discern and follow whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy for the Christian to do.