Indifference, an obstacle towards building up God’s Kingdom

Oct 14, 2016

IPOH (Herald Malaysia): The sin of indifference is a great obstacle for us towards building up God’s kingdom and drawing others to Jesus Christ. Fr Jude Miranda said this during his homily on the first day of the triduum Masses leading to the feastday of St Michael.

Fr Jude was the main celebrant, with Fr Paul Kee, CssR and Fr Stephen Liew, parish priest of St Michael’s Church concelebrating.

He said St Michael, as the defender of our faith, was a role model for us. We must all strive to be like “angels” to others who need our help. “In the past, every kind act was attributed to (us) being like an angel,” he said.

“Yet today, many of us are not living enough of what God has called us to do, or what God wants, which is to be merciful and kind.

“We have stopped caring for others. There is a lack of interest, concern and sympathy.”

Indifference is the killer in all relationships. It is not the lack of trust but indifference towards one another that makes us forget God and our identity, he said.

Fr Jude continued, saying that Jesus condemned this sin of indifference in the gospel reading of the day, as he warned the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum because they despised Him and his disciples, even though they were beneficiaries of his teachings and miracles.

Sharing a true story of a mother who was devastated when her son refused to help her see a dentist and, instead, hurt her with cruel words, Fr Jude said, often we can be faithful to our work and anything else, but forget to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

There are four kinds of indifferences:

Firstly, to God: when we look at faith as an obligation instead of a way of life and a relationship with God.

Secondly, indifference towards the Church: in the task of building up the Church and spreading the Good news. We are just onlookers, but God needs us to participate.

Thirdly, indifference towards our family: where we become impersonal and don’t talk to one another.

Lastly, indifference towards society: People need one another, yet we don’t want to speak up for someone, or for peace, or justice.

“We can value the examples given to us by the archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Gabriel is strength, and we must be like him, in giving strength to others in need. The strength of God in us will help build up our lives for the better, because we all have been given the power and strength by God.

“Raphael is the healer and nowadays, many need healing and the chance to experience God to see what God’s kingdom is like. Be a person who continues to touch and heal,” Fr Jude said.