Value versus Usefulness (Monday, Easter 3, 2021)

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We seem to be living in a purely utilitarian society where people's VALUE appears to be mainly measured in terms of usefulness. In simple terms, society says that WE ARE RELEVANT and VALUABLE INASMUCH AS WE SERVE A PURPOSE. That’s very unfortunate!


Stephen was among the first deacons in the early Church, chosen because he was a man of good repute, full of the Holy Spirit, wisdom, grace and power. Acts 6:8 has it that Stephen did great wonders and signs among the people. To some people, Stephen’s relevance was never to be questioned as signs and wonders accompanied his words and actions. But to some other people, Stephen was a nuisance whose words were useless, unacceptable and blasphemous. 


After the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, Jesus RELEVANCE skyrocketed. The signs and wonders which He performed made Him so famous and very relevant that people followed Him wherever He went (cf. John 6:22-29). As the gospel story unwinds, beyond those signs and wonders, we will see whether Jesus would continue to be relevant, respected and accepted by these same people who followed Him around for signs and wonders.


What do we make of the above? We must learn to respect and value people not on the basis of WHAT THEY CAN DO but on the basis of WHO THEY ARE: human beings are GOD'S CREATURES, not MACHINES.


Prayer:

In my relationship with people, may I never lose sight of the 'God' in every person, Amen!


Have a blessed day!



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