A Day-by-day devotional

February 20, 2023

Detachment

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Leviticus 26-27

Scripture of the Day: Matthew 24:10-14

What we see and hear on broadcast media and read from the press these days may have in one way or another, already desensitized us. Evil things take place each second of everyday, across the globe, and news of them fill our daily lives.

Some things that we hear of are too horrible to even think about. However, since the stage has been set for us for them to appear almost like the societal norm, we get to carry on with our lives like they are not happening. This has been man’s coping mechanism since the beginning. Temporary detachment. Compartmentalization of the mind. We protect our sanity against the harshness of life. For if we do not push aside the reality of the world’s evil and vice, we wouldn’t be able to make it.

Coping is, however, different from apathy. I once heard someone say that hate is not the opposite of love. Rather, the opposite of love is apathy. It is when we become indifferent that we lose the love.

Shutting down the evil of the world helps us cope. Nonetheless, we have to take care that we, in the process, not also shut down our ability to care. For oftentimes, if the car doesn’t hit close to our road, we wouldn’t concern ourselves to know the extent of the damage. Unless something hits home, it is difficult to grasp the reality of something. To take for granted the challenging time that the world is in can make the heart grow calloused. Jesus warned of this when He explained how in the end, lawlessness could result to more lawlessness because the love of many will grow cold. Love growing cold doesn’t result from hate. It is gradually born from apathy.

When we lose compassion and empathy, we lose our connectedness. It could lead to the erosion of who and what we are at the core of our being. In the process, it is not impossible to go down the road of losing our humanity.

It is up to us to strive and protect it. Following Jesus’ example of having always shown compassion everywhere He had been is key.

Reflection: Do not lose sight of your inner core – a soul that cares, and an ability to relate to the plight and needs of others. Never let your love wax cold.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you have always been so full of compassion. As your love falls towards me, enable me to build up on it, to love on others too. Make me able. Make me willing. Amen.