Serve the Lord

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081917.cfm) reminds me that I should decide to serve God, no matter if other people do or not. 

In a lot of people, peer pressure is very powerful. People do not want to be left out. No man is an island, as they say. We want to be part of the group. That's why there are a lot of bandwagons. We want to be with the majority. This may not be harmful in other things, but not with out faith. 

God wants us to choose him, regardless of what other people say or do. 

In the first reading, we see Joshua exhorting the people. He lived by example. As he was telling them to choose a God to worship, he gave his choice. He did not wait for others to talk. He did not wait for the majority to decide. He chose before they did. Their decision did nOt affect his. He proclaimed that he and his household will serve the Lord. 

God wants us to decide on our own. God wants us to be sure. He does not want us to choose him just because our friends do, or ignore him because if others. God wants us to be sure and be firm with our decision. No matter what other people say or do, no matter what other people choose, we should choose to serve God and be firm with it. 

May we have the resolve to always choose to serve God, no matter what the situation may be. 

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 another weekend. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I do not choose you. Sorry for the times I go with others, instead of with you. Sorry for putting more weight on the approval of others than of yours. Help me live right. Help me choose you always. May I always be firm in faith and love, no matter what. As I do, may others be inspired and choose you as well. Amen. 

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

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August 19, 2017
Saturday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 418

Reading 1JOS 24:14-29

Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem,
and addressed them, saying: 
"Fear the LORD and serve him completely and sincerely.
Cast out the gods your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt,
and serve the LORD.
If it does not please you to serve the LORD,
decide today whom you will serve,
the gods your fathers served beyond the River
or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling.
As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

But the people answered, "Far be it from us to forsake the LORD
for the service of other gods.
For it was the LORD, our God,
who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt,
out of a state of slavery.
He performed those great miracles before our very eyes
and protected us along our entire journey and among all the peoples
through whom we passed.
At our approach the LORD drove out all the peoples,
including the Amorites who dwelt in the land.
Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God."

Joshua in turn said to the people,
"You may not be able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy God;
he is a jealous God who will not forgive
your transgressions or your sins.
If, after the good he has done for you,
you forsake the LORD and serve strange gods,
he will do evil to you and destroy you."

But the people answered Joshua, "We will still serve the LORD."
Joshua therefore said to the people,
"You are your own witnesses that you have chosen to serve the LORD."
They replied, "We are, indeed!"
Joshua continued:
"Now, therefore, put away the strange gods that are among you
and turn your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel."
Then the people promised Joshua,
"We will serve the LORD, our God, and obey his voice."

So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day
and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem,
which he recorded in the book of the law of God.
Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak
that was in the sanctuary of the LORD.
And Joshua said to all the people, "This stone shall be our witness,
for it has heard all the words which the LORD spoke to us.
It shall be a witness against you, should you wish to deny your God."
Then Joshua dismissed the people, each to his own heritage.

After these events, Joshua, son of Nun, servant of the LORD,
died at the age of a hundred and ten.

Responsorial PsalmPS 16:1-2A AND 5, 7-8, 11

R. (see 5a) You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, "My Lord are you."
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

AlleluiaSEE MT 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMT 19:13-15

Children were brought to Jesus
that he might lay his hands on them and pray.
The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said,
"Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them;
for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
After he placed his hands on them, he went away.