IT IS ALREADY IN ME (15th Sunday, C)

"It is not up in the sky, that you should say,
'Who will go up in the sky to get it for us
and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?'
Nor is it across the sea, that you should say,
'Who will cross the sea to get it for us
and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?'
No, it is something very near to you,
already in your mouths and in your hearts;
you have only to carry it out."
(Deuteronomy 30, 10-14)


No need to device a long ladder, tall enough to reach for it into the heavens.
No need to probe the depths of the oceans, the bottom of the seas.
It is already in my mouth; already in my heart;
It is already IN ME.
My mouth blabbers: "Love;"
My heart declares: "Love;"
My hands and my feet are yet to prove the latter.


I, like the scholar of the law who conversed with the master,
Knew the commandments by heart.
I studied the precepts.
I memorized the festivals.
I have already celebrated countless holy days and sacraments and rituals and
ceremonies.
I could argue, and debate, and interpolate all I want
On the finer details of the faith I profess and claim to belong to,
My mouth blabbers: "Love;"
My heart declares: "Love;"
My hands and my feet are yet to prove the latter.

The master knew that I could answer Him correctly on the matters of the law.
He does not need any answer that comes from my mouth though.
He desires that I live.
And I will only if I start doing it.

The world is full of talkers and arguers.
The world has more than enough of them.
The master has no need of any of them.
He rather is on the watch for the doers.