The Question of Repayment

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Thirty First Week : Monday*

*Gospel : Lk 14:12-14*

*First Reading : Phil 2:1-4*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 131:1bcde, 2, 3*

*The Question of Repayment*

*1) The issue of repayment*

The word repayment appears three times with three diffent tenses 

Repayment

Repay 

Repaid 

These three words also indicates three levels of people with different significance 

In fact the word repayment is very familiar to us, and most of us insist on the word repayment

*2) Repayment - Something in return*

The word repayment is understood in the context of receiving something 

Especially when we have done some service, or given something to the other or in the case of some dues 

In all cases we expect something from the other and we always insist on repayment 

*3) The first level of Repayment*

In the Gospel the word repayment appears in the context of returning something back to us for the service we have done or the work we have performed 

This repayment comes from the human beings 

This repayment happens here and now, in the world 

This repayment happens as a settlement of everything, after-which it has no significance 

*4) The Second level - Repay*

This shows the inability of the person to repay for whatever the person has taken from another 

The second level does not get settled with the present situation 

The second level is a incomplete circle which continues for the next world 

There are two parties, one is unable to pay, second one is unable to receive, because of the inability of the person to pay

*5) Third Level - Repaid*

The third level happens at the last day 

There is one more party is involved here 

The party - Unable to repay 

The party - unable to receive 

The party - the one who pays the due 

This repayment is not immediate solution but a solution comes at last which has eternal value 

Here it the God who repays the person, who was unable to get it from the party when he lived on earth 

The third level of repayment has eternal value 

This payment changes our destiny towards heaven 

This repayment makes us holy and blessed 

This repayment gives us a new identity 

*6) The Choice for repayment*

All of us who live in this world, who always expect repayment from others, has two choices in this regard 

Repayment from the human beings 

Repayment from God 

One has temporal value and other one has eternal value

One is concerning the earthly things, other one is related to the heavenly things 

Choice is ours.

If so, what is my choice? 

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*