Not Prepaid

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/022715.cfm) reminds me that good deeds cannot compensate for an evil heart

There are a lot of prepaid services nowadays. Probably the most common is for mobile phone load. One pays in advance for the consumable load, then enjoys the services until the prepaid value is used. As long as there are prepaid credits, one can use the services, regardless if they can again load for future use or not. However, this is not applicable to our faith.

In the first reading, we see that God does not count good deeds done in the past to cover for the evil actions currently done. Why? Simply because the actions reflect the state of the heart. If good deeds were replaced by evil actions, then it means that God’s place in the heart was replaced by something or someone else, that their hearts full of love for God that radiates good actions were turned hard and now does evil things.

Jesus also explains this in the gospel. We cannot fully offer to God or praise and worship God if our hearts are not well. If we have enemies or things to be settled, we should work on them first before coming to God. God deserves our very best, and we can best glorify him if we clean our hearts before coming to Him.

May we not be overconfident with our actions and good deeds in the past, for as Jesus said, coming after him is a daily decision to take up our cross.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Friday. Thank you for the reminder today. Lord, help me to make the daily decision to follow you. Thank you for reminding me that my previous actions and good deeds are not as important as my current and future ones, because they tell that my heart is in the right place. Protect my heart, Lord. May nothing and no one take your place in my heart and in my life. Amen.

Blessed Friday!

In Christ,

-g-

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February 27, 2015

Friday of the First Week of Lent

Lectionary: 228

Reading 1 Ez 18:21-28

Thus says the Lord GOD:

If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed,

if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just,

he shall surely live, he shall not die.

None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him;

he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced.

Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked?

says the Lord GOD.

Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way

that he may live?

And if the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil,

the same kind of abominable things that the wicked man does,

can he do this and still live?

None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered,

because he has broken faith and committed sin;

because of this, he shall die.

You say, “The LORD’s way is not fair!”

Hear now, house of Israel:

Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?

When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies,

it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die.

But if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has committed,

does what is right and just,

he shall preserve his life;

since he has turned away from all the sins that he committed,

he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Responsorial Psalm PS 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8

R. (3) If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;

LORD, hear my voice!

Let your ears be attentive

to my voice in supplication.

R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

If you, O LORD, mark iniquities,

LORD, who can stand?

But with you is forgiveness,

that you may be revered.

R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

I trust in the LORD;

my soul trusts in his word.

My soul waits for the LORD

more than sentinels wait for the dawn.

Let Israel wait for the LORD.

R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

For with the LORD is kindness

and with him is plenteous redemption;

And he will redeem Israel

from all their iniquities.

R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

Verse Before the Gospel Ez 18:31

Cast away from you all the creatures you have committed, says the LORD,

and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

Gospel Mt 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples:

“I tell you,

unless your righteousness surpasses that

of the scribes and Pharisees,

you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,

You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.

But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother

will be liable to judgment,

and whoever says to his brother, Raqa,

will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,

and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,

and there recall that your brother

has anything against you,

leave your gift there at the altar,

go first and be reconciled with your brother,

and then come and offer your gift.

Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court.

Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,

and the judge will hand you over to the guard,

and you will be thrown into prison.

Amen, I say to you,

you will not be released until you have paid the last penny