Progress in Change

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).

 

Truly, we are in a world full of changes. As we can see, things around us are changing fast and we are already facing them and their consequences. But this does not mean that our world and our life are distorted because of these changes. However the big question is, where do these changes lead us in view of our spiritual life? Is it to progress or to decline? We cannot manage to control change as we would like it to happen. But we can manage changes that happen to us, if only we are willing to progress.