▼

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Kingdom Builder


The WORD today reminds me that I should do my part to build God’s kingdom. 

In movies, the end credits take a while to be finished. And when you read it, you realize that making a movie is a very complicated process. It takes a lot of work. A lot of money. And a lot of people to get it done. And with great movies, people are just so happy and proud that they are part of the team that worked on that movie. Not just the director or lead actors, people are proud to contribute as well. This is what we should be aiming for with God’s kingdom. 

We should be proud and contribute to build God’s kingdom. 

In the gospel, we see that Jesus tirelessly worked for God’s kingdom. He proclaimed the gospel and healed the sick everywhere he can. He worked tirelessly and did many things.  However, he cannot do it alone. He also said in the gospel that the laborers are few. God needs workers for his kingdom. not because he is powerless, but because people generally need human interaction to feel God’s love. God needs us to help him in building his kingdom on earth. God needs warm bodies to reach out to others, to make others feel His love for them. We cannot just think that God is powerful and will send someone to help. Maybe we are that someone God is sending to help others.

God needs workers for his kingdom.

As Jesus sent his disciples on a mission, he too is sending us. Life on earth should not just be about us. It should not be just about what we want to do or to happen. We should not forget who gave us life in the first place. We should not forget who loved us first, who saved us, and who continues to bless us.

As we are blessed, as we are filled with God’s love, we are also called to pass it to others. We are blessed not for us to keep it, but bless others as well. We experience God not just for us to treasure the moment, but share him with others. We have a relationship with God not just for ourselves, but for others to have the same relationship as well.

It is easy to just focus on oneself, on the people you love, on what you want. But God reminds us that we should also be workers for him. No matter where we are and what we do, we are called to be workers for God’s kingdom.

The world needs to feel God’s love that is alive. The pandemic needs to be fought with God’s love alive in us through others. We should make others feel that God is still here, watching over us. By sharing our blessings, our time, our prayers, in our own little way, we can make him more alive. We build his kingdom one small brick at a time. 

Am I doing my share to build God’s kingdom on earth? How? In what way am I building God’s kingdom on earth? Am I living in a way pleasing to God and consistent with his gospel values? How can I build his kingdom in my life - my school, work, business, and family?

May we be willing to do our part and build God's kingdom here on earth, in whatever way we can. 

Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another opportunity to feel your love. Thank you for all the blessings. Thank you for the reminder of what you want and need me to do. Sorry for the times I just focus in myself. Sorry for making up excuses and justifications for not working for you. Sorry for being selfish and hard headed. Lord, help me be a willing worker for your kingdom. Help me be like Jesus and the disciples who tirelessly worked for you. May I be willing to step out of my comfort zone and do things for your kingdom. As I do my best, I ask that you bless my actions and bless my efforts so people can get to know you and get to feel you. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,
-g-

Ps
See related reflection:


July 06, 2021
Tuesday of Week 14; St. Maria Goretti

FIRST READING

In the course of the night, Jacob arose, took his two wives, with the two maidservants and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had taken them across the stream and had brought over all his possessions, Jacob was left there alone. Then some man wrestled with him until the break of dawn. When the man saw that he could not prevail over him, he struck Jacob’s hip at its socket, so that the hip socket was wrenched as they wrestled. The man then said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go until you bless me.” The man asked, “What is your name?” He answered, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be spoken of as Jacob, but as Israel, because you have contended with divine and human beings and have prevailed.” Jacob then asked him, “Do tell me your name, please.” He answered, “Why should you want to know my name?” With that, he bade him farewell. Jacob named the place Peniel, “Because I have seen God face to face,” he said, “yet my life has been spared.” 

At sunrise, as he left Penuel, Jacob limped along because of his hip. That is why, to this day, the children of Israel do not eat the sciatic muscle that is on the hip socket, inasmuch as Jacob’s hip socket was struck at the sciatic muscle.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

R. (15a) In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord. 

Hear, O LORD, a just suit; attend to my outcry; hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit. 

R. In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.

From you let my judgment come; your eyes behold what is right. Though you test my heart, searching it in the night, though you try me with fire, you shall find no malice in me. 

R. In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my word. Show your wondrous mercies, O savior of those who flee from their foes. 

R. In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.

Hide me in the shadow of your wings. I in justice shall behold your face; on waking, I shall be content in your presence. 

R. In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.

ALLELUIA

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.” 

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

at

No comments:

Post a Comment