Temporary

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/090716.cfm) reminds me that everything in this world is temporary. 

They say that "Pain is temporary. Pride is forever". This quote is inspiring, and will push athletes to go beyond the pain and inconveniences they are encountering, and push themselves harder to win, to do their best, to keep their pride. Pain is temporary. When you rest. When you sleep. When you get therapy, it will be gone. But pride is forever. You may only have one shot at glory. So pain should be ignored. 

This is what Jesus reminds us in the gospel. Blessed are those who feel pain and persecution in this world on the account of doing God's work. Blessed not because they should be happy and look for pain, but blessed because what they are experiencing is temporary. Blessed because the reward that comes with it is eternal. Is forever. On the other hand, those who enjoy the world too much at the expense of their souls will suffer in eternity. 

God wants is to keep our eyes on eternity. 

The pain and challenges in this world are temporary. It is a small price to pay for doing God's work. We should look past them and focus on eternity, on spending forever with God as a reward of our being faithful and loyal to him. As a reward of our love for Him. The pain and challenges in this world that come from being his servant do not compare to the joy of spending eternity with Him. 

May we be inspired and strengthened to follow him all the time despite of all worldly and temporary challenges that come with it. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another day to love and serve you. Thank you for another reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I stop when I feel pain and persecution. Sorry for not being firm in my love for you. Sorry for being weak. Help me live right. Help me remember that everything in this world is temporary and that everything I experience is a small price to pray for the reward of spending eternity with you. Use me for your purpose. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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September 7, 2016
Wednesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 439

Reading 1 1 Cor 7:25-31

Brothers and sisters:
In regard to virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord,
but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
So this is what I think best because of the present distress:
that it is a good thing for a person to remain as he is.
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek a separation.
Are you free of a wife? Then do not look for a wife.
If you marry, however, you do not sin,
nor does an unmarried woman sin if she marries;
but such people will experience affliction in their earthly life,
and I would like to spare you that.

I tell you, brothers, the time is running out.
From now on, let those having wives act as not having them,
those weeping as not weeping,
those rejoicing as not rejoicing,
those buying as not owning,
those using the world as not using it fully.
For the world in its present form is passing away.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 45:11-12, 14-15, 16-17

R. (11) Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.
Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear,
forget your people and your father’s house.
So shall the king desire your beauty;
for he is your lord, and you must worship him.
R. Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.
All glorious is the king’s daughter as she enters;
her raiment is threaded with spun gold.
In embroidered apparel she is borne in to the king;
behind her the virgins of her train are brought to you.
R. Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.
They are borne in with gladness and joy;
they enter the palace of the king.
The place of your fathers your sons shall have;
you shall make them princes through all the land.
R. Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear.

Alleluia Lk 6:23ab

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Rejoice and leap for joy!
Your reward will be great in heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 6:20-26

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,
for the Kingdom of God is yours.
Blessed are you who are now hungry,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who are now weeping,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.

Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.
For their ancestors treated the prophets
in the same way.

But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
But woe to you who are filled now,
for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will grieve and weep.
Woe to you when all speak well of you,
for their ancestors treated the false
prophets in this way.”