The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/061417.cfm)
reminds me how much God values obedience to Him.
Obedience is not something easy
to do. We usually obey when we are forced to, or when we respect the one giving
the command or order. Obedience is also in the bible. The gospel says that we
should obey the commandments to be the greatest in God’s kingdom
Why is obeying God so
important? Why
will we be the greatest in God’s kingdom if we obey and encourage others to do
so?
Obeying God is
giving importance to God.
It
means we are humbling ourselves and acknowledging that God is God in our
lives. Obeying his commandments is
submitting to His will, not ours. This is what makes us the
greatest, because we want to know Him more, we want to be more and more like
him, because we want to serve him with our lives. It shows dependence and
humility – qualities that God loves in his children. And the more we obey, the
more we have these qualities, then the greater we will be in God’s eyes and in
God’s kingdom.
In the same way, he said that
whoever breaks his commandments and teaches others to do the same is the least
in his kingdom. Least, because disobedience to God is a sign that one does not
recognize and value God. And if this is how one looks at God, then he doesn't
want to be in God's kingdom, thus the least.
Do I obey God’s commandments?
When - all the time, or just when it is convenient for me, or when I am being
watched? Do I always obey his will, or only when I need something from Him? Do
I easily forget the good he has done for me and do things my way? Do I bring
people to him and encourage them to follow and obey God’s commandments?
May we remember to humble
ourselves and obey God’s commandments and his will, not ours, in our lives. As
we do so, may we also bring other people to Him.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love
you, but more importantly to experience your love. Thank you for the reminder.
Sorry for the times I do not obey you. Sorry for the times I do what I want,
not what you want. Sorry for the times I love myself more than I love you.
Lord, make my heart like yours. May I always seek you and obey you in all
aspects of my life…everytime. May I live my life focused on doing your will and
giving you glory. Use me for your kingdom, for your purpose, and for your
glory. Amen.
Blessed
day!
In
Christ,
-g-
Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 361
Reading 12 COR 3:4-11
Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.
Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit
for anything as coming from us;
rather, our qualification comes from God,
who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant,
not of letter but of spirit;
for the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life.
Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, was so glorious
that the children of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses
because of its glory that was going to fade,
how much more will the ministry of the Spirit be glorious?
For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious,
the ministry of righteousness will abound much more in glory.
Indeed, what was endowed with glory
has come to have no glory in this respect
because of the glory that surpasses it.
For if what was going to fade was glorious,
how much more will what endures be glorious.
Responsorial PsalmPS 99:5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Extol the LORD, our God,
and worship at his footstool;
holy is he!
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
and Samuel, among those who called upon his name;
they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
From the pillar of cloud he spoke to them;
they heard his decrees and the law he gave them.
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
O LORD, our God, you answered them;
a forgiving God you were to them,
though requiting their misdeeds.
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
Extol the LORD, our God,
and worship at his holy mountain;
for holy is the LORD, our God.
R. Holy is the Lord our God.
AlleluiaPS 25:4B, 5A
Teach me your paths, my God,
and guide me in your truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 5:17-19
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter
will pass from the law,
until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do so
will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven."
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