Run To Win

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/090916.cfm) reminds me that I should have a firm purpose in life. 

Elite Athletes train to win. Some who are struggling, train just to be able to compete. Just so they won't be embarrassed in competition. Their mindset is different from elite ones, from great athletes who train to win and be the best in what they do. They have a firm purpose, and they spend their lives preparing and training for it. 

In the first reading, we are reminded that in races, only one wins. So we should run to win. Run to be the best. Run with a purpose. This is how we should live our lives - clear with the purpose of loving and serving God. 

In the gospel, we see further how we can practice this. We should first look at ourselves. We should first improve ourselves. We should first train and be focused. Then once we are better, once we are filled with God, then we can help others out. Once we are filled with God, we can share God to others. We can bring him to others. 

Doing God's work is not easy. But may we have a firm purpose for our lives. May we run to win God's crown. 

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 the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I lose my focus in you. Sorry for doing many things in this world, forgetting you. Direct my steps. Help me live right. May I live for you. May I glorify you. And when the time comes, may I win the crown of your glory and spend eternity with you. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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September 9, 2016
Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest
Lectionary: 441

Reading 1 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22b-27

Brothers and sisters:
If I preach the Gospel, this is no reason for me to boast,
for an obligation has been imposed on me,
and woe to me if I do not preach it!
If I do so willingly, I have a recompense,
but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship.
What then is my recompense?
That, when I preach, I offer the Gospel free of charge
so as not to make full use of my right in the Gospel.

Although I am free in regard to all,
I have made myself a slave to all
so as to win over as many as possible.
I have become all things to all, to save at least some.
All this I do for the sake of the Gospel,
so that I too may have a share in it.

Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race,
but only one wins the prize?
Run so as to win.
Every athlete exercises discipline in every way.
They do it to win a perishable crown,
but we an imperishable one.
Thus I do not run aimlessly;
I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing.
No, I drive my body and train it,
for fear that, after having preached to others,
I myself should be disqualified.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 84:3, 4, 5-6, 12

R. (2) How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!
My soul yearns and pines
for the courts of the LORD.
My heart and my flesh
cry out for the living God.
R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest
in which she puts her young—
Your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my king and my God!
R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!
Blessed they who dwell in your house!
continually they praise you.
Blessed the men whose strength you are!
their hearts are set upon the pilgrimage.
R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!
For a sun and a shield is the LORD God;
grace and glory he bestows;
The LORD withholds no good thing
from those who walk in sincerity.
R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!

Alleluia See Jn 17:17b, 17a

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 6:39-42

Jesus told his disciples a parable:
“Can a blind person guide a blind person?
Will not both fall into a pit?
No disciple is superior to the teacher;
but when fully trained,
every disciple will be like his teacher.
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye,
but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?
How can you say to your brother,
‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’
when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye?
You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first;
then you will see clearly
to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”