God's Praise or Human Praise?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 4th Week : Thursday*

*Gospel : Jn 5:31-47*

*First Reading : Ex 32:7-14*

*God's Praise or Human Praise?*

*1) Jesus on God's praise and Human Praise*

In today's Gospel Jesus speaks about Two types of Praise 

One is about God's praise and the other one is Human praise 

The reading of the day calls us to reflect about to which praise we long for? human praise or God's praise 

*2) Natural Tendency to carve for Human praise*

All of us have the natural tendency to crave for humam praise 

Generally we have an opinion that when we get  Human praise we become hero's

We have an opinion that, human praise is the yardstick for our success and popularity

We think that human praise is all about our success and becoming great persons

So that is why, we crave for human praise 

*3) I don't accept Human prise*

In today's Gospel Jesus clearly says that He doesn't accept human praise 

Because human praise is not genuine. Human praise  always depends on the personal interest

If some one likes the other praise comes automatically. If some one doesn't like the other, then even if the good work is done, praise doesn't come 

So human praise purely based on selfish interest and one sided approach. So such praise is not genuine. So Jesus says he doesn't accept human praise 

*4) Who crave for Human praise?*

Jesus gives the following reasons 

Those who don't hear the voice of the Lord 

Those who don't wish to retain the word of the Lord with them 

Those who don't to wish to believe in the one who was sent by the Father - Jesus 

Those who don't wish to come to Jesus 

Those who don't have love for God 

Those who seek praise from one another

*5) The difference between Human praise and God's praise*

Human praise only for a moment. God's praise for eternity 

Human praise is based on the whims and fancies. But God's praise is based on faithfulness and truth 

God's praise is based on good and holy things. Human praise is based on worldly things and worldly pomp and glory 

Human praise is based on the success. God's praise is based on faithfulness and truth 

Human praise is based on the popularity. God's praise is based on the sincerity and faithfulness

Human praise can be bought. God's praise based only on good merit 

With Human praise we achieve only worldly things. With God's praise we achieve the eternal life 

*6) What is my tendency?*

There is no doubt that some times all of us lean towards human praise. But the question is How often do I crave for human praise? 

Is my life only depends on Human praise? 

Do I work only for human praise? 

In what area of my life, God will praise me? 

Will God praise me in the area of forgiveness, prayer, commitment, truthfulness, sincerity, love, sacrifice, humility, sharing, faithfulness, etc??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*