Higher Standards

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/061115.cfm) reminds me that God wants us to have higher standards as we live for him.

My fiancé’s niece is a very intelligent kid. In fact, she was accepted into the SPED GT (Gifted and Talented) program of the city. They were told that the kids in that program would have the same lessons as other kids, but their standards would definitely be higher. Because of this, they usually get the participants in regional and national competitions from the GT program, since these are the very intelligent kids trained with high standards.

God wants us to be like them as well.

In the gospel, Jesus tells us that God wants more from us. Like the kids in the GT program, we are subjected to the same things as all human beings. However, just as the expectations from the kids in the GT program are higher, God also expects more from us who are following Him. God expects more from his children.

Killing is bad, we all know that. But in the gospel, Jesus tells us that even getting angry is bad – because it can eventually grow into something more, which could eventually lead into killing. God wants a higher standard for us, that instead of just not killing, we should not allow ourselves to be tempted into even thinking of that. This is not just with killing – it is true with other positive aspects of our lives as well, with our prayer life, almsgiving, and concern for others.

God wants us to come to him clean and in the best possible state we can. God is more concerned with our heart rather than our offering to him. We can fast and offer sacrifices, but if we hold grudges against others, if we keep ill feelings, and if we withhold expressions of love to others, then our fasting will not be as pleasing to him.

May we be inspired to have higher standards of living for God,  and be up for the challenge of living it. Just as the kids in the GT program are usually sent to competitions, may we be ready and willing to prepare, so God can send us to spread his love and kingdom on earth.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another day to experience your love. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, I ask that you help me live in a way you want me to. Help me live with higher standards, not to show that I am better than others, but to just tell you how much I love you. Help me be ready and willing to go the extra mile, to do the extra actions, so my life would be more pleasing to you. amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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June 11, 2015

Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle

Lectionary: 580/362

Reading 1 Acts 11:21b-26; 12:1-3

In those days a great number who believed turned to the Lord.

The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,

and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.

When he arrived and saw the grace of God,

he rejoiced and encouraged them all

to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,

for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.

And a large number of people was added to the Lord.

Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,

and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.

For a whole year they met with the Church

and taught a large number of people,

and it was in Antioch that the disciples

were first called Christians.

Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers:

Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger,

Lucius of Cyrene,

Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,

“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul

for the work to which I have called them.”

Then, completing their fasting and prayer,

they laid hands on them and sent them off.

Responsorial Psalm PS 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6

R. (see 2b) The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Sing to the LORD a new song,

for he has done wondrous deeds;

His right hand has won victory for him,

his holy arm.

R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

The LORD has made his salvation known:

in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.

He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness

toward the house of Israel.

R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

All the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation by our God.

Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;

break into song; sing praise.

R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,

with the harp and melodious song.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn

sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.

R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Alleluia Jn 13:34

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I give you a new commandment:

love one another as I have loved you.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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 with him.

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.”