At age 17, a criminal named Romeo Andres Corpuz was charged with murder and was sentenced to 6-12 years in prison. He was the main culprit in a prison riot where two died and ten were seriously injured. He was meted two life sentences for double murder and 100--170 years for grave injuries. Another riot broke out and again, he was found guilty and sentenced to death. At age 21, no black record could match his three death sentences and 100-170 year prison term within three years.
Kevin 'Mad Dog' Mudford was the leader of the notorious "Devil's Disciples Gang," At the early age of 15, he was already charged with murder and other crimes.
Experience tell us that a bad beginning necessarily brings a bad ending. No wonder architects and engineers spend so much time drawing out plans and blueprints before building a structure. Companies spend a lot of resources making feasibility studies before embarking on a business project. We can add more similar examples, but they all teach us the principle: a bad beginning would lead to a bad ending.
The principle, however, cannot be said to be necessarily true in our spiritual life...
[In Luke 13:6-9] Jesus then...told of a man who had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he came out looking for fruit on it after three years but did not find any. Instead of cutting it down immediately, the tree was given another chance. It would be cultivated and would be given fertilizer to make it bear fruit. If not, it shall be cut down.
We represent the tree. God will be looking out for fruits in us. With the blessings that we received from Him, what can we show to Him? Do we take out more than we put in this life, or do we try to put in more than we take out?
In any event, God is giving us a chance to prove our worth and usefulness. It's never too late to look into ourselves and respond to His call for conversion...
Romeo Andre Corpuz, the notorious criminal later became an active cursillo member and a leader of the rosary group. His exemplary conduct won for him commendations from various groups. It made him enjoy wide access to freedom of movement until he was able to set up a successful handicraft shop inside the penitentiary. He even got married to a woman who initially told him: "A convict in the death row? I'm not crazy. No way, convict."
Kevin 'Mad Dog' Mudford was converted to Christianity. He is now travelling around Australia, teaching the love of Christ by bringing a big cross with him on his motorbike.
A bad beginning condemns one to a bad ending. It may be true with people. But not with God. In his love and mercy, a bad beginning leads to a good ending.
Forget our bad beginnings. We all love happy endings, don't we? It happened to many people. Let it happen to us. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment