Keep His Commandments

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/051817.cfm) reminds me that God wants us to keep his commandments. 

We show our love and appreciation for our family, especially our parents, by respecting them and living in the way they raised us. Telling them we love them but living in sin, disobeying and disrespecting them, do not really show them we love them. Actions speak louder than words. They will only know and feel that we love them if we live right, if we obey and respect them.

This is the same with how we relate to God. It is easy to tell God that we love him. It is easy to tell God that we are thankful for all the blessings. However, proving it is not as easy. Living it is not as easy. But God wants us to act, not just talk. 

God wants us to keep his commandments.

In the gospel, Jesus said that we will remain in him and his love If we keep his commandments. If we truly love him, we will respect him and obey his commandments. We will live that love for him. We will live our thanksgiving. We will live our faith.

In the first reading, we see who we should live this commandment to. God is not just the God of the Jews, or of the Gentiles. God is the God of all. He is God of everyone. Thus, we should live his commandment to everyone. We should love each other, especially those unlovable. We should treat others right, especially those who don't treat us right. We should spread the gospel to everyone, especially those who love this world so much to know and learn about Christ. 

There are a lot of people nowadays who speak of good things but live otherwise. May we be challenged and inspired to live consistent with what we say. May we live our faith and love for God through others.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another day to experience your love. Lord, I am sorry for the times I do not live my faith and love for you. sorry for the times I get contented with just professing my faith and love, thinking that my thoughts and intentions are good, even if my actions tell you otherwise. Help me live a consistent life, where my words and actions go hand in hand. May my life show you how much I love you. Help me love others like you do. Help me love the way you want me to. Fill me with your love so I can love them with it.  amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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May 18, 2017
Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Lectionary: 288

Reading 1ACTS 15:7-21

After much debate had taken place,
Peter got up and said to the Apostles and the presbyters,
"My brothers, you are well aware that from early days
God made his choice among you that through my mouth
the Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe.
And God, who knows the heart,
bore witness by granting them the Holy Spirit
just as he did us.
He made no distinction between us and them,
for by faith he purified their hearts.
Why, then, are you now putting God to the test
by placing on the shoulders of the disciples
a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?
On the contrary, we believe that we are saved
through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they."
The whole assembly fell silent,
and they listened
while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders
God had worked among the Gentiles through them.

After they had fallen silent, James responded,
"My brothers, listen to me.
Symeon has described how God first concerned himself
with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name.
The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written:

After this I shall return
and rebuild the fallen hut of David;
from its ruins I shall rebuild it
and raise it up again,
so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord,
even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked.
Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things,
known from of old.

It is my judgment, therefore,
that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God,
but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols,
unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood.
For Moses, for generations now,
has had those who proclaim him in every town,
as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath."

Responsorial PsalmPS 96:1-2A, 2B-3, 10

R. (3) Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.

AlleluiaJN 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear by voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

"As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father's commandments
and remain in his love.

"I have told you this so that
my joy might be in you and
your joy might be complete."