The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/121115.cfm) reminds me that we will be blessed as we follow God.
There are different motivations for doing things. Some do things for fulfillment, or because they believe in the purpose. Others do things to be paid. Others do things to be rewarded and acknowledged. As we follow Jesus, this is something people may expect.
Following Jesus comes with great rewards.
The first reading and the psalm both remind us that following God has great rewards. Yes, this is good news – something that would make us want to follow God. However, God’s reward is not always the same as the world. prosperity and vindication in God’s domain do not necessarily mean the same as we expect in this world.
Following God will not mean we will be rewarded and get what we want. He is not a genie who will give us our desires. He gives us much more than what we ask – though it may not be something we really want. He gives us heavenly reward, not earthly ones. As we follow Him, we become more and more like Him. as we follow his commandments, we will have prosperity not as the world sees it – as money and earthly possessions, but goodness and eternal rewards. Prosperity in heaven - something greater than anything in this world because it is eternal.
May we be inspired to follow God so we can enjoy blessings – not on this world but eternal ones.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for all the blessings. Thank you for giving me more than I deserve and pray for. Lord, sorry for the times I desire earthly riches too much. Sorry for letting myself be distracted. Lord, give me a heart that would desire heavenly riches and blessings. Give me a heart that would be willing to suffer in this world to gain heavenly gifts. Give me a heart that would be brave to step out of my comfort zone for you – so you can mold me and give me blessings you intend for me. Amen.
Blessed day!
In Christ,
-g-
December 11, 2015
Reading 1 Is 48:17-19
Thus says the LORD, your redeemer,
the Holy One of Israel:
I, the LORD, your God,
teach you what is for your good,
and lead you on the way you should go.
If you would hearken to my commandments,
your prosperity would be like a river,
and your vindication like the waves of the sea;
Your descendants would be like the sand,
and those born of your stock like its grains,
Their name never cut off
or blotted out from my presence.
the Holy One of Israel:
I, the LORD, your God,
teach you what is for your good,
and lead you on the way you should go.
If you would hearken to my commandments,
your prosperity would be like a river,
and your vindication like the waves of the sea;
Your descendants would be like the sand,
and those born of your stock like its grains,
Their name never cut off
or blotted out from my presence.
Responsorial Psalm PS 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
R. (see John 8:12) Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord will come; go out to meet him!
He is the prince of peace.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord will come; go out to meet him!
He is the prince of peace.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mt 11:16-19
Jesus said to the crowds:
“To what shall I compare this generation?
It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance,
we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said,
‘He is possessed by a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said,
‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”
“To what shall I compare this generation?
It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance,
we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said,
‘He is possessed by a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said,
‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”
No comments:
Post a Comment