Obedience

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/030718.cfm) reminds me how 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. The first reading shows Moses reminding the people not to forget God’s commandments, and teach them to their children. Following these commandments will make us closer to God. 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-

Daily Readings

March 7, 2018

Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
Lectionary: 239

Reading 1 DT 4:1, 5-9

Moses spoke to the people and said:
"Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees
which I am teaching you to observe,
that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land
which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.
Therefore, I teach you the statutes and decrees
as the LORD, my God, has commanded me,
that you may observe them in the land you are entering to occupy.
Observe them carefully,
for thus will you give evidence
of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations,
who will hear of all these statutes and say,
'This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.'
For what great nation is there
that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us
whenever we call upon him?
Or what great nation has statutes and decrees
that are as just as this whole law
which I am setting before you today?

"However, take care and be earnestly on your guard
not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen,
nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live,
but teach them to your children and to your children's children."

Responsorial Psalm PS 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20

R. (12a) Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word!
He spreads snow like wool;
frost he strews like ashes.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done thus for any other nation;
his ordinances he has not made known to them.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

Verse Before The Gospel SEE JN 6:63C, 68C

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

Gospel  MT 5:17-19

Jesus said to his disciples:
“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.”