Today’s Readings:
Proverbs 3:27-34
Psalm 15:2-5
James 3:16-4:3
Luke 8:16-18
I have received a rude awakening in recent times. I say “rude” because I have grown comfortable with the understanding that so long as I do what is right and seek to be at peace with everyone, they will like me and applaud my efforts. WRONG!!! This sort of thinking is polar opposite to the reality of the gospels where Jesus did everything good and still received condemnation from the Jewish leaders, and died at their hands. Does this mean that we should no longer do good? Far from it. It means that we should do good for the right reasons.
The right reason for your good actions is stated in today’s Gospel acclamation:
“Your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Knowing that God has made you light in the world and has given you the command to shine in the world, what should be your mindset and what are some things you should do daily? Here are some tips:
DON’T JOKE WITH PRAYER — St Padre Pio calls prayer “the oxygen of the soul.” If there is a devotion you favour, hold on to it. If you do not have a favourite devotion, I recommend the Holy Rosary and visits to the Blessed Sacrament. You will make steady progress in your spiritual life through these devotions.
KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE — Your only audience is God. He is the only one you answer to. So long as what you do does not contradict God’s law and your state of life, do it with diligence and devotion.
PROCEED FROM FAITH, NOT FEAR — A lot of people live with fear of the unknown. We fear things that have not happened or may never happen and it keeps us from doing what we are on earth to do. We also fear evil people with malicious intentions. About them Saint Padre Pio says, “Do not fear. Jesus is more powerful than all hell.” If God has put something in your heart, pray for the strength and resources you need and go on to do it. Fear, they say, kills more dreams than failure. Do not allow your God-given dream to be one of fear’s causalities.
PEOPLE WILL TALK — If you do bad, people will talk. If you do good, people will still talk. You cannot help them. But let it never be said of you that you gave people reasons to turn away from God. Rather, live in such a way that even when people talk, there is no confusion about the state of your relationship with God.
FACT-CHECK YOURSELF — Use the following criteria from the Psalmist to judge the rightness of your actions: be in the state of grace, be disciplined, treat people fairly, speak the truth, avoid gossip, take good advice, point out people’s strengths and minimise their weaknesses, flee from the love of money. You will never fall if you live by these codes.
HOPE FOR THE BEST — Good things will come to you. Even when it delays, do not let it weigh you down. The world will give you a million reasons to be sad, angry and discouraged. You need just ONE REASON to stay afloat: “If God is for you, who can be against you?” (Romans 8:31).
In the veritable words of Saint Padre Pio: “You say you are anxious about the future, but do you not know that the Lord is with you always and that our enemy has no power over one who has resolved to belong entirely to Jesus?” Which of these points speaks to your current situation? State them and I will say May the Lord help you out of it, in Jesus’ name. Keep shining your light. The grace of God will continue to shield you from temptations and adversity and fill You with grace, and open doors of favour in Jesus' name.
JUDE-MARY WOH
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for your daily consolation through your Word.
Lord, drive worries and fear far from me and my family.
Lord, keep me away from sin and every sinful desire.
Lord, help me to do Your will in all things.
Lord, I place all my cares in Your hands.
Lord, take perfect control of my life and help me to walk in Your light.
Lord, let your light shine and darkness, sadness and evil shall be far from me.
Goodness and favour shall follow me through this week, and always, in Jesus' name, Amen.
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