Let’s be adaptive but properly focused

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

WHEN Christ said, “No one tears a piece from a new cloak to put it on an old cloak; otherwise, not only will the new one be torn, but the piece taken from the new will not match the old,” (Lk 5,36) we are somehow reminded that in our life there is always need for continuing adaptation due to the rapidly varying situations, circumstances and conditions that we are having these days.

He reiterated this point when he said, “Nobody puts new wine in old wineskins; otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins and run to waste, and the skins will be ruined.” (Lk 5,37)

We cannot overemphasize this need to adapt. We just have to learn how to go about it without getting lost with regard to the real and ultimate purpose of our life here on earth. Yes, we have to be adaptive, but also consistent and properly focused.

This would really require of us to have the very wisdom of God as shown to us by Christ who knew how to adapt himself to the varying conditions of man and yet always focused on fulfilling his mission of human redemption.

As St. Paul would describe it, we have to learn to be “all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel.” (1 Cor 9,22-23)

We cannot overemphasize this need to adapt. And we just have to learn how to deal with it, considering that it will demand of us a lot of sacrifices. Perhaps that’s one reason Christ told us that if we want to follow him, we need to deny ourselves and carry the cross. (cfr. Mt 16,24)

This aspect of an authentic Christian life should be taught as early as possible to everyone. While it’s true that each one is somehow defined by his own peculiar personality, temperament and character, we need to realize that as persons we are meant to relate with each other and, thus, need to learn to properly adapt with everyone and with everything.

We can always manage to be all things to all men because we are governed not only by physical and biological laws. We have a spiritual nature that can take on anything, especially when that spiritual nature is animated by the very grace of God who is ever willing to give it to us. With God’s grace, even the impossible becomes possible.

We should try our best to assume the very mind and heart of Christ, because as St. Paul again said: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil 4,13) This definitely would require of us to spend time meditating on the word and example of Christ with the view of eventually assimilating the very spirit of Christ in us.

Aside from meditating, we need to develop the relevant practices and virtues that Christ himself is showing us. He was always prayerful, self-mortified, unafraid of sacrifices and consistently zealous to carrying his mission.

He knew how to proclaim the Good News in ways that can somehow be easily understood, or at least appreciated, by the people. In other words, we need to have a vibrant spiritual life, an ever-growing intimacy with Christ who makes himself available to us not only in the gospels, but also and most especially in the sacraments.

Let’s hope that we never get tired in following the example of Christ so that we can truly be adaptive to all the varying conditions around as well as be properly focused in pursuing the real purpose of our life.

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com