The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/082718.cfm) reminds
me that I should not be a bad influence on others.
In
this world, there are a lot of people who want influence. They want to be and
know people in powerful places and positions. They want their voices and
opinions to matter. They want to be influential. It Is powerful to be
influential in the worldly sense, but even more powerful in the spiritual sense.
God
wants us to do good. We all know that. But in today’s gospel, we are warned and
inspired at the same time. Jesus is telling us not to be like the Pharisees who
prevent others from entering God's kingdom by being negative influences on
others. They are bad influence who teach wrong things and hinder the spiritual
growth of others.
Influence
is powerful and important.
How
we influence others affect us. If we break the law, we will be punished.
But if we influence others to break God’s laws, then we will be punished more
severely. On the other hand, if we follow God, and influence others to do the
same, then we will be great in God’s eyes.
What
we do to others affect them. it affects us as well.
There
are people in this life we influence. Officemates. Friends. Family. There may
be people who look up to us, or at least watch what we are doing or how we live
our lives. This is why it is important to always live right and to always
choose God. What we do and how we life is important to God, but it is also
important how we influence others – in a bad or hopefully a positive way.
Who
are the people that I get to influence? How am I influencing them? Is my life a
good influence on other people? Or are they led astray because of me? How can I
be a positive influence on others? What specific thing can I do to be a
positive influence this week?
May we
be inspired and be more alert on how our lives influence others around us and
work on bring a good influence, not a negative one.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live.
Thank you for another week. thank you for another chance to love and serve you.
thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I do not become a
positive influence on others. More importantly, sorry for being a bad influence
on others. Sorry for not living right. I ask that you help me live right all
the time. Help me live consistent to your ways. May I always seek and do your
will. Use me, Lord. In my own little way, may I influence others in a positive
way. may I lead them closer to you. amen.
Blessed Week,
In Christ,
-g-
August 27, 2018
Memorial of Saint Monica
Lectionary: 425
Lectionary: 425
Reading 1 2 THES1:1-5, 11-12
Paul,
Silvanus, and Timothy to the Church of the Thessalonians
in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters,
as is fitting, because your faith flourishes ever more,
and the love of every one of you for one another grows ever greater.
Accordingly, we ourselves boast of you in the churches of God
regarding your endurance and faith in all your persecutions
and the afflictions you endure.
This is evidence of the just judgment of God,
so that you may be considered worthy of the Kingdom of God
for which you are suffering.
We always pray for you,
that our God may make you worthy of his calling
and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose
and every effort of faith,
that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you,
and you in him,
in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.
in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters,
as is fitting, because your faith flourishes ever more,
and the love of every one of you for one another grows ever greater.
Accordingly, we ourselves boast of you in the churches of God
regarding your endurance and faith in all your persecutions
and the afflictions you endure.
This is evidence of the just judgment of God,
so that you may be considered worthy of the Kingdom of God
for which you are suffering.
We always pray for you,
that our God may make you worthy of his calling
and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose
and every effort of faith,
that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you,
and you in him,
in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.
Responsorial Psalm PS 96:1-2A, 2B-3, 4-5
R. (3) Proclaim God's marvelous deeds
to all the nations.
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.
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.
For great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
awesome is he, beyond all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are things of nought,
but the LORD made the heavens.
R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.
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.
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.
For great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
awesome is he, beyond all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are things of nought,
but the LORD made the heavens.
R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Alleluia JN 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MT 23:13-22
Jesus
said to the crowds and to his disciples:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men.
You do not enter yourselves,
nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You traverse sea and land to make one convert,
and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna
twice as much as yourselves.
"Woe to you, blind guides, who say,
'If one swears by the temple, it means nothing,
but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.'
Blind fools, which is greater, the gold,
or the temple that made the gold sacred?
And you say, 'If one swears by the altar, it means nothing,
but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.'
You blind ones, which is greater, the gift,
or the altar that makes the gift sacred?
One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it;
one who swears by the temple swears by it
and by him who dwells in it;
one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God
and by him who is seated on it."
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men.
You do not enter yourselves,
nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You traverse sea and land to make one convert,
and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna
twice as much as yourselves.
"Woe to you, blind guides, who say,
'If one swears by the temple, it means nothing,
but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.'
Blind fools, which is greater, the gold,
or the temple that made the gold sacred?
And you say, 'If one swears by the altar, it means nothing,
but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.'
You blind ones, which is greater, the gift,
or the altar that makes the gift sacred?
One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it;
one who swears by the temple swears by it
and by him who dwells in it;
one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God
and by him who is seated on it."
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