The WORD today reminds me that God wants us to be obedient to him, like Children.
Not all people want to be told what to do. Not all people want to be told how to act. Adults, especially those who have achieved things in life, does not want to be told what to do or how to act. Powerful people want it their way. Their time. However, children are usually easier to deal with. They obey. They follow instructions and directions. This is probably why God wants us to be like children.
In the gospel, children were coming to Jesus. They did not want money or food, just for Jesus to lay his hands on them and pray for them. Give them his blessing. However, the disciples rebuked them. Baka nakukulitan sila sa mga bata. However, Jesus told them to allow kids to go to him, for God’s kingdom is for the children. Probably because of their innocence and innate goodness. But also, maybe because of their attitude. Childlike - humble and obedient, open to instructions and directions. They probably did not understand who Jesus was, and it was probably their parents who told them to go come to Jesus and have themselves blessed by this Jesus. They obeyed. Innocence and obedience.
Why is being obedient important?
The first reading tells us why. God gave instructions. Simple ones. What to do and what not to do. God gave us instructions what to do and how to live if we want to enter God’s kingdom. He also told us what would entail rejecting God. Clear as black and white. However, probably not to easy to obey. That is why for those who obey and live the way God wants them to, then they would enter God’s kingdom.
Obedience to God is important. It is a sign that we love God more than ourselves, more than our own desires and comforts.
Am I obedient to God or do I give him a lot of reasons for not obeying him? Do I want things my way, and do them my way, or am I humble and open to God’s instructions? Do I want to enter God’s kingdom? Do I love God enough for me to obey what he wants, and not just do what I want?
May we always be obedient to God, and live the way he wants 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 weekend. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I do not obey you. For the many time I do not obey you. Sorry for doing what I want, not what you want. Sorry for being proud and hard headed. Sorry for hurting you. Sorry for loving myself more than I love you. Lord, help me live right. Help me live pleasing to you. May I show you my love through my actions and my life. I am one with the psalmist in asking you to create a clean heart in me, and let me love you the best way I can. Amen.
Blessed Weekend!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
Daily Readings
Saturday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 418
Reading 1
The word of the LORD came to me:
Son of man, what is the meaning of this proverb
that you recite in the land of Israel:
"Fathers have eaten green grapes,
thus their children's teeth are on edge"?
As I live, says the Lord GOD:
I swear that there shall no longer be anyone among you
who will repeat this proverb in Israel.
For all lives are mine;
the life of the father is like the life of the son, both are mine;
only the one who sins shall die.
If a man is virtuous—if he does what is right and just,
if he does not eat on the mountains,
nor raise his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel;
if he does not defile his neighbor's wife,
nor have relations with a woman in her menstrual period;
if he oppresses no one,
gives back the pledge received for a debt,
commits no robbery;
if he gives food to the hungry and clothes the naked;
if he does not lend at interest nor exact usury;
if he holds off from evildoing,
judges fairly between a man and his opponent;
if he lives by my statutes and is careful to observe my ordinances,
that man is virtuous—he shall surely live, says the Lord GOD.
But if he begets a son who is a thief, a murderer,
or lends at interest and exacts usury–
this son certainly shall not live.
Because he practiced all these abominations, he shall surely die;
his death shall be his own fault.
Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel,
each one according to his ways, says the Lord GOD.
Turn and be converted from all your crimes,
that they may be no cause of guilt for you.
Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed,
and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.
Why should you die, O house of Israel?
For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,
says the Lord GOD. Return and live!
Son of man, what is the meaning of this proverb
that you recite in the land of Israel:
"Fathers have eaten green grapes,
thus their children's teeth are on edge"?
As I live, says the Lord GOD:
I swear that there shall no longer be anyone among you
who will repeat this proverb in Israel.
For all lives are mine;
the life of the father is like the life of the son, both are mine;
only the one who sins shall die.
If a man is virtuous—if he does what is right and just,
if he does not eat on the mountains,
nor raise his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel;
if he does not defile his neighbor's wife,
nor have relations with a woman in her menstrual period;
if he oppresses no one,
gives back the pledge received for a debt,
commits no robbery;
if he gives food to the hungry and clothes the naked;
if he does not lend at interest nor exact usury;
if he holds off from evildoing,
judges fairly between a man and his opponent;
if he lives by my statutes and is careful to observe my ordinances,
that man is virtuous—he shall surely live, says the Lord GOD.
But if he begets a son who is a thief, a murderer,
or lends at interest and exacts usury–
this son certainly shall not live.
Because he practiced all these abominations, he shall surely die;
his death shall be his own fault.
Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel,
each one according to his ways, says the Lord GOD.
Turn and be converted from all your crimes,
that they may be no cause of guilt for you.
Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed,
and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.
Why should you die, O house of Israel?
For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,
says the Lord GOD. Return and live!
Responsorial Psalm
R. (12a) Create a clean heart in me, O God.
A clean heart create for me, O God;
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners shall return to you.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
A clean heart create for me, O God;
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners shall return to you.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Children were brought to Jesus
that he might lay his hands on them and pray.
The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said,
"Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them;
for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
After he placed his hands on them, he went away.
that he might lay his hands on them and pray.
The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said,
"Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them;
for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
After he placed his hands on them, he went away.
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