Sixteen: Born To Make Him Happy

Aside from it's Vincci's birthday, today is a special day because it's my first day here at the center. :) I am now working full time for Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, Inc. :) Praise God! But today's post is not about my first day, but on the homily given during the mass this noon.

Today's Gospel is about the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’

No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

The rich man may not have done anything bad to Lazarus, but he neither have done anything good. Once again, we are reminded of the sin of omission - not doing what's supposed to be done. It's not enough to refrain from hurting others. We ought to love and care for them, keeping in mind that they are a representation of God. And God said, "whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for Me."

How have we treated our brethren? Did we feed them when they were hungry? Clothe them when they had nothing to wear? Gave them a drink when they were thirsty? Invited them in when they needed shelter? Did we ever put a smile on their faces? Did we ever make them happy?

I don't know how to live without your love

I was born to make you happy

'Cause you're the only one within my heart

I was born to make you happy

Always and forever you and me

That's the way our life should be

I don't know how to live without your love

I was born to make you happy

Sounds familiar? It should be. It's one of Britney's hit songs. But let's try to read the lyrics again. Are we not suppose to sing this for God?

Without His love, we are nothing. We are born to live for Him, to bless and make others happy, to make Him happy. He is the only way, the truth, and the life. We should remain in Him always.

Now let's sing it again.

♪♫ I don't know how to live without Your love

I was born to make You happy

'Cause You're the only one within my heart

I was born to make You happy

Always and forever You and me

That's the way our life should be

I don't know how to live without Your love

I was born to make You happy ♪♫

As followers of Christ, that's what we are called to do - love, serve, bless, and make others (especially the least of our brethren) happy. Unlike the rich man, let's not wait before it's all too late. Let's start loving now. Let's start serving now. Let's act now. That way, we put a smile on God's face. We make Him happy. :)

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