A change of… perspective – this is what we sometimes need…
Looking at something from another angle…
Taking a slightly different view of a situation…
Considering a problem from another viewpoint…
This change may lead to a completely different outlook and influence our attitude in a more positive way.
This reflection is appropriate when looking at the 1st reading of today’s celebration (Deuteronomy 6:2-6).
At first, we may think that this Scripture text is all about observing God’s commandments.
This is correct since the author says clearly:
“These are the commandments which the Lord your God has instructed me to teach you
that you may observe them”.
But it is not, we could say, the whole story!
Many people believe that obeying God’s commandments is something we MUST do –
somehow we have no choice.
But… we have missed something important which changes the whole perspective, indeed!
The writer of Deuteronomy, from which this text is taken, adds:
“Listen then, keep and observe
what will make you prosper and give you great increase,
as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you,
giving you a land where milk and honey flow”.
In other words, the commands that we are given are for our own good!
God knows what is best for us and he shows us the way to follow so we may reach what will make us truly happy.
Many of us believe that WE know which direction our lives should take.
But, often, we end up experiencing problems and misfortunes that we would have escaped if only we had followed God’s way.
It is never too late to… change perspective!…
Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/31e-dimanche-de-lannee-b-2024/