Should two men
sin, generally, the guiltiest party would be the most senior; the more
knowledgeable one. When my elder brother and I had fights in our childhood
days, my mother would always reprimand us to love one another, as we are
brothers. But to my elder brother, she would give an extra admonishment: “You
are the elder one. You should be more understanding with your brother, as you
know more than he does.”
Much will be
required of the person entrusted with much, and still, more will be demanded of
the person entrusted with more (cf. Lk 12:39-48). Much knowledge and experience
had been given to the apostles. They were more blessed than anyone among us for
they had the first-hand experience of Jesus. They heard His words coming from His
very mouth. They shared meals with Him. They witnessed Jesus' miracles before
their naked eyes. With much information and involvement with Jesus, much was
expected from them. And truly, they had lived by that expectation, albeit there
were fear, even doubts, and disbelief, sometimes. All of them, save John the
Beloved Apostle, died a martyr’s death, witnessing to the faith they profess in
Jesus who had given them much.
What is expected
of us? Freed from sin, we are to become righteous. Sin must not
reign over our mortal bodies making us bend to our every desire. And we must not
present the parts of our bodies to sin as weapons for wickedness, but instead,
present ourselves to God as raised from death to life, and the parts of our
bodies to God as weapons for righteousness (Romans 6:12-18).
As redeemed by
Jesus and were made children of God through our baptism, we are expected to be
obedient to the Father; to be slaves of righteousness for our own sake. We are
privileged to hear the Word of God, to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, to be
cleansed and pure by God's grace, and to be enriched by God's gift of faith to
us. With all these blessings and generosity, God expects from us obedience;
constantly listening to His precepts, and living in accord with His will.
Is it a tough
call? We can realize such through God, for our help is in the name of the Lord.
