The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/092017.cfm)
reminds me that God will vindicate me in due time.
Sometimes, the values of others
makes us re-think our own values. I have a friend who has good
values, however, her officemates have different and more liberal values. They
sometimes tease her for being too conservative. And she shared that sometimes
it makes her think if she is indeed too conservative, especially with the
changing world. Good thing she realized that the values and beliefs of other
people should not have an effect on your own values. You may not be able to
change their views, but at least you should be able to keep your values intact.
In the gospel, Jesus is telling
us that we should not benchmark on how other people react. Some say John the
Baptist is crazy for living in solitude. They say he is possessed by a demon.
And others say Jesus is a glutton, drunkard and friend of sinners for eating
and drinking with people. The two did not get people’s approval, but they both
got the approval of God. In God’s perfect time, he vindicated them.
God fights our
battles with us.
We cannot control what people
would say, think or do about us. We cannot force them to see our good
intentions for our actions. People may try to speak bad of us, or think
negative thoughts about us. This is why we should not work for their approval.
We should not change just to accommodate and make them happy. Their approval is
different from God, and at the end, it is God’s approval that matters. Jesus
and John the Baptist knew this, so they continued what they were doing no
matter what other people say. They continued doing God’s work in their own
different ways. And in the end, God rewarded and vindicated them.
May we learn to focus on God,
especially when we find out people are saying bad things about us. God’s ways
do not change, so we should not change just because people want us to.
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 chance to experience your love. Lord,
sorry for the times I let other influence me and my values. Sorry for
being weak and concerned abut their opinions. help me to always focus on you
and not on others. When I feel tired and beaten, I ask that you strengthen me.
When I doubt my own actions, remind me of your love, of why I am doing these
things for you. May I be a faithful servant especially when things are tough,
for I know this makes you happy and I know you are fighting the battle with me.
amen.
Blessed
day!
In
Christ,
-g-
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September 20, 2017
Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs
Lectionary: 445
Reading 11 TM 3:14-16
I am writing you,
although I hope to visit you soon.
But if I should be delayed,
you should know how to behave in the household of God,
which is the Church of the living God,
the pillar and foundation of truth.
Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion,
Who was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated in the spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed to the Gentiles,
believed in throughout the world,
taken up in glory.
Responsorial PsalmPS 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
Majesty and glory are his work,
and his justice endures forever.
He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;
gracious and merciful is the LORD.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
He has given food to those who fear him;
he will forever be mindful of his covenant.
He has made known to his people the power of his works,
giving them the inheritance of the nations.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
AlleluiaSEE JN 6:63C, 68C
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life,
you have the words of everlasting life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 7:31-35
"To what shall I compare the people of this generation?
What are they like?
They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another,
'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance.
We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.'
For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine,
and you said, 'He is possessed by a demon.'
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said,
'Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'
But wisdom is vindicated by all her children."
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