Looking at
our world today, there are a lot of changes that have already occurred and they
continue to unfold to us as days pass by. Just observe our surroundings. Many
trees are being cut and replaced by tall buildings.
Technology has advanced so
rapidly. In our country, there are new laws being introduced, one of which is
the RH bill. Such changes and many others transform our daily lives. Thus, we
are faced with the question: are all these changes a sign of progress in
building a moral and virtuous life? Where
do these changes lead us? Is it in fulfilment of our person or in falling into desolation?
All of us
want not merely to experience progress but literally to progress in life. No man
has ever thought of having a life that is so static. Every one of us wants
success, wants change and progress. That is why we strive to work hard to be
able to earn something in view of having a good and comfortable life. For this
reason, we realize that all our efforts will tend toward our progress in life.
This
is also the reason why Jesus came to the world, became man, suffered and died
with shame on the cross (Luke 24:46). He lived with us and carried our burdens
for us to be freed from the state of sin so that we can make a spiritual
progress. As long as we are in the state of sin, we cannot possibly progress in
our spiritual life. That is probably the mission of Jesus which he had
successfully completed in today’s reading before he ascended unto heaven (Luke
24:51). And this mission of His is “in order for us to be given a chance to become perfect, just
as our Heavenly Father is an exemplar of true perfection” (Matthew 5: 48).
