The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/022317.cfm)
reminds me that I should not delay doing good and living pleasing to
God.
We Filipinos have something we
call the "Mañana Habit or Attitude".
Mañana is the coined word for "mamaya na". We put off something if it
is not yet urgent. We delay doing something until such time that we have no
choice but to do it already. We cram, waiting until the very last minute until
we do something. It may work with some, since they like to work under pressure.
However, God does not want us to act like this as we do his work and as we live
pleasing to him.
You should not delay doing good and living right.
We should not delay living
right with God. We should not delay conversion and repentance. In the first
reading, we are told how we should live. That we should not be overconfident
with our earthly power, influence and achievements. We should not be
overconfident with God's love and mercy. We should not delay conversion and
living right, for we do not know until when we would have the chance to do so.
The gospel tells us what we should do. That we should be willing to change and
let go of sins of this world to enter God's kingdom.
Sometimes we set a lot of conditions for doing these things. We wait for the last
minute. We want to maximize things, so we wait until the very end until we do
something - when we have no choice already. Some people treat conversion like
this. They want to live a worldly life, thinking that they would just convert
and live right when they retire or when they're old. However, we do not know
when God will take us, so we should not delay.
What
things am I putting off doing? Why am I delaying these things? What am I
waiting? Am I willing to act now?
May we be moved into acting
immediately on things that God wants us to do, and not put it off and wait for
another time to do it.
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 put off
doing good and living right. Sorry for the times I wait for something before
doing your work and end up not doing anything. Disturb me. Help me change and
live for you. Help me live a life pleasing to you. Help me let go of the things
you want me to. I know this would make me more and more like you, and would
bring me closer to eternity with you. Amen.
Blessed
day!
In
Christ,
-g-
February 23, 2017
Memorial of Saint Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr
Lectionary: 344
Reading 1 Sir 5:1-8
say not: "I have the power."
Rely not on your strength
in following the desires of your heart.
Say not: "Who can prevail against me?"
or, "Who will subdue me for my deeds?"
for God will surely exact the punishment.
Say not: "I have sinned, yet what has befallen me?"
for the Most High bides his time.
Of forgiveness be not overconfident,
adding sin upon sin.
Say not: "Great is his mercy;
my many sins he will forgive."
For mercy and anger alike are with him;
upon the wicked alights his wrath.
Delay not your conversion to the LORD,
put it not off from day to day.
For suddenly his wrath flames forth;
at the time of vengeance you will be destroyed.
Rely not upon deceitful wealth,
for it will be no help on the day of wrath.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
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. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
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. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
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. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Alleluia 1 Thes 2:13
Receive the word of God, not as the word of men,
but as it truly is, the word of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mk 9:41-50
"Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.
"Everyone will be salted with fire.
Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid,
with what will you restore its flavor?
Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another."
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