Perform the Works

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/040717.cfm) reminds me that doing God's work glorifies Him and makes him happy. 

Parents usually like obedient children. They take pride in their attitude and humility in obeying their parents or people in authority. This is probably similar to what God feels for us when we obey him, when we humble ourselves and do his work. 

Natutuwa ang Diyos kung susunod ka sa kanya. 

In the gospel, we see Jesus asking the people to believe him because he is doing God's work. He said that he won't be surprised if they won't believe him if he does not do God's work, but since he does God's work, they should believe him. This reminds us that doing God's work is important. It distinguishes us from others. It tells God we love him. It proclaims God's kingdom in this world. 

We need not do missionary work to do this. We just need to live godly lives wherever we are. Whatever we do, we can do God's work. We can proclaim his kingdom whatever we do. If we treat others right, if we respect others, if we live right, then we are proclaiming God's kingdom and performing his works. 

May we always remember to proclaim God and perform his works everyday. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminder and the challenge. Lord, sorry for not doing this. Sorry for not doing your work. Sorry for being busy with concerns of the world. Give me the will and the desire to do your work. Help me live for you. May my actions glorify you and proclaim your kingdom. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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April 7, 2017
Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Lectionary: 255

Reading 1 Jer 20:10-13

I hear the whisperings of many:
"Terror on every side!
Denounce! let us denounce him!"
All those who were my friends
are on the watch for any misstep of mine.
"Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail,
and take our vengeance on him."
But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion:
my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph.
In their failure they will be put to utter shame,
to lasting, unforgettable confusion.
O LORD of hosts, you who test the just,
who probe mind and heart,
Let me witness the vengeance you take on them,
for to you I have entrusted my cause.
Sing to the LORD,
praise the LORD,
For he has rescued the life of the poor
from the power of the wicked!

Responsorial Psalm Ps 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7

R. (see 7) In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
I love you, O LORD, my strength,
O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.
R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
My God, my rock of refuge,
my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
and I am safe from my enemies.
R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
The breakers of death surged round about me,
the destroying floods overwhelmed me;
The cords of the nether world enmeshed me,
the snares of death overtook me.
R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
In my distress I called upon the LORD
and cried out to my God;
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry to him reached his ears.
R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.

Verse Before the Gospel See Jn 6:63c, 68c

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;
you have the words of everlasting life.

Gospel Jn 10:31-42

The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus.
Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from my Father.
For which of these are you trying to stone me?"
The Jews answered him,
"We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy.
You, a man, are making yourself God."
Jesus answered them,
"Is it not written in your law, 'I said, 'You are gods"'?
If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came,
and Scripture cannot be set aside,
can you say that the one
whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world
blasphemes because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?
If I do not perform my Father's works, do not believe me;
but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me,
believe the works, so that you may realize and understand
that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."
Then they tried again to arrest him;
but he escaped from their power.

He went back across the Jordan
to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained.
Many came to him and said,
"John performed no sign,
but everything John said about this man was true."
And many there began to believe in him.