The WORD today reminds me that God wants our life and our works to be consistent with our words.
We used to have a trainer in basketball that always emphasizes consistency. If you want to improve. If you want to dominate. Consistency is the key. There are techniques and scientific methods of doing things. But it would not have a maximum effect if you are not consistent in doing these things. In living these things, beyond the basketball court. This consistency is very important, even in our spiritual life as Jesus said in the gospel.
It is very annoying to talk to people who say one thing but do another. People who do not follow through with their words. People who do not act consistently with their words. You don't know what to expect from them. This is something that God wants us to avoid.
Actions, words, and intentions should always be in agreement with each other. Consistency is the key.
In the gospel, Jesus told the disciples to be careful of both the Pharisees and Scribes. The pharisees pay tithes to be seen by others, but do not focus on love for God. They focus only on external, because they want to be recognized and respected by others. Their hearts are not consistent with their actions. Same with the Scribes. They impose burdens on people but do not act to help others.
God wants us to be better.
Our actions, words and intentions of the heart should always be in agreement with each other. We cannot say we love God but not treat our neighbors right. We cannot do good not to serve and love God, but to be seen and recognized by others. Everything should be consistent. Everything should be pointing to God.
God sees everything.
The first reading and the psalm reminds and warns us that God sees everything. He sees the intentions of our hearts. He sees our actions, not just our words. And as such, as fair as he is, he will reward or punish us based on our lives and our actions. He tells us what the fruits of our lives should be. How we should live consistently with.
Are my words consistent with my actions? When I say I love God, do I live it through other people? Do I live up to my words by my actions? Are my actions always consistent to what i say?
May we be challenged and always be aware to speak, act, and live consistent with God's ways.
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 the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times my words and actions are not consistent with each other. Sorry for not always following up on my words with actions. And sorry for the times my intentions are not pure in doing good work for you. Help me live right. Help me live in a way pleasing to you. Help me live consistent with the gospel values. Amen.
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
Daily Readings
Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 469
Reading 1
Brothers and sisters:
If you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are obvious:
immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry,
sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy,
outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness,
dissensions, factions, occasions of envy,
drinking bouts, orgies, and the like.
I warn you, as I warned you before,
that those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh
with its passions and desires.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.
If you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are obvious:
immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry,
sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy,
outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness,
dissensions, factions, occasions of envy,
drinking bouts, orgies, and the like.
I warn you, as I warned you before,
that those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh
with its passions and desires.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (see Jn 8:12) Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Alleluia
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
The Lord said:
“Woe to you Pharisees!
You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb,
but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God.
These you should have done, without overlooking the others.
Woe to you Pharisees!
You love the seat of honor in synagogues
and greetings in marketplaces.
Woe to you!
You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.”
Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply,
“Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.”
And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law!
You impose on people burdens hard to carry,
but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.”
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