The WORD today 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. However, 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-
Ps
See related reflection:
June 09, 2021
Wednesday of Week 10; St. Ephrem
FIRST READING
Brothers and sisters:
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 PSALM
R. (see 9c) Holy is the Lord our God.
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.
ALLELUIA
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Teach me your paths, my God, and guide me in your truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
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.”
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