Reflection

       Every morning I would face the mirror, obviously, I would see my face there. My eyes were always half-open, with a messy hair and an oily face. The reflection from the mirror greets me that way. Since, that was also my greeting to the mirror. And it is a “reflection.” A reflection, in this sense, is an action that comes back from its origin. It is like what I have given, I receive; what I have shown, I see. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus in a personal way says, “and the measure you use for others will be used for you (7:2b).” This phrase is similar in saying; “the things that I have done to others will be done unto me.”

        And there was a story about a dog which mistakenly got into a room which walls were all mirrors. Suddenly, the dog saw itself surrounded by many dogs. This dog got angry, bared its teeth and snarled. And all those dogs around in the same way bared their teeth and snarled too. At this time, the dog became terrified and started to run around the room. But all the dogs ran also after him. Finally, the dog stopped very exhausted and frightened. However, the dog saw at once that it was also the reaction of those dogs around. The dog wondered and started to wag its tail and immediately this dog saw that those dogs around wagged their tails too. This dog saw a friendly picture around.

    When I relate to others showing an ignoring and unfriendly face especially in the missions, I, too, experienced an ignoring and unfriendly faces. But when I showed a warm attitude, I received a warm welcome from them. Truly, anger begets anger but kindness enjoys kindness. And this is what I have experienced with the people especially living in a community of brothers. And that’s what the dog has experienced. When the dog showed anger in the same way he received anger. But when friendliness was shared by wagging its tail, the dog enjoyed a friendly atmosphere. When the dog saw at once those dogs around him then hated them, actually the dog hated itself. Yet, it was just a reflection. This is also my own attitude and behavior. Sometimes I could see things in my brothers and sisters which I really hate. By this, it makes me jump into judgment that I hate him or I don’t like her. But actually, those things I found not nice and culpable were actually the reprehensible things in me (most of the time). Those were things that I hate about myself but I just have this tendency to blame others for that to cover my own frailties. Because of this, the relationship I have with them is very much affected. However, when I let myself to be humble and showed kindness, I obtained acceptance and kindness from them.

          Somehow, Jesus is calling me to walk humbly to Him offering the traits that I hate from others which actually traits that I hate about myself. Instead of exaggerating my brothers’ and sisters’ culpable actions, I should rather be humble and sincere in my words, thoughts and deeds. Living and journeying in community I am called to courageously do away with biases and my pre-judgments. It is to be fair with others and also to be fair with myself. Together with the community, it is a challenge for me to appreciate and value the gift of person rather than judging unnecessarily.