Good Example

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081417.cfm) reminds me that God wants me to be a good example to others. 

When we have idols or people we look up to, how they act affect us. When we see athletes, leaders or celebrities doing great things outside the court or in real life, helping others and living up to our expectations on why we look up to them, we feel inspired. However, when we see them involved in scandals and issues, we feel disappointed. This is probably what Jesus was thinking in the gospel. 

In the gospel, we see that Jesus, being the Son of God, was supposed to be exempted from paying temple tax. The temple is his Father's house, so there is no need to pau taxes. However, just so he may not offend others, he pays this tax. Some say that this is not just because he wants to avoid issues with authorities, but more t be a good example for those looking up to him and following him. He does not want them to mistake his not paying tax as a revolt against the temple, or that he is too proud. He does not want to be a stumbling block to those who look up to him and follow him. 

We should be good examples to others. 

Just as Jesus was, we should too. Wether we know it or not, as Christians, we reflect Jesus. People associate Jesus to us - our actions, our decisions, our way of life. As workers for Christ, we should be good examples to others. We should be extra careful on our actions and what we do. Because our lives may affect the faith and belief of others. 

May we be aware that our lives say a lot about our faith, and strive to lo live good, honorable lives for God. 

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 ignore how I act and how I live. Sorry for the times I forget that I reflect you to others. Help me be aware. Help me be willing to live right. May my life be pleasing to you. May my life reflect the gospel values. May others see you in me. Amen. 

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

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August 14, 2017
Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr
Lectionary: 413

Reading 1DT 10:12-22

Moses said to the people:
"And now, Israel, what does the LORD, your God, ask of you
but to fear the LORD, your God, and follow his ways exactly,
to love and serve the LORD, your God,
with all your heart and all your soul,
to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD
which I enjoin on you today for your own good?
Think! The heavens, even the highest heavens,
belong to the LORD, your God,
as well as the earth and everything on it.
Yet in his love for your fathers the LORD was so attached to them
as to choose you, their descendants,
in preference to all other peoples, as indeed he has now done.
Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and be no longer stiff-necked.
For the LORD, your God, is the God of gods,
the LORD of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome,
who has no favorites, accepts no bribes;
who executes justice for the orphan and the widow,
and befriends the alien, feeding and clothing him.
So you too must befriend the alien,
for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt.
The LORD, your God, shall you fear, and him shall you serve;
hold fast to him and swear by his name.
He is your glory, he, your God,
who has done for you those great and terrible things
which your own eyes have seen.
Your ancestors went down to Egypt seventy strong,
and now the LORD, your God,
has made you as numerous as the stars of the sky."

Responsorial PsalmPS 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20

R. (12a) Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
He has granted peace in your borders;
with the best of wheat he fills you.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word!
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done thus for any other nation;
his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

AlleluiaSEE 2 THES 2:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called you through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMT 17:22-27

As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee,
Jesus said to them,
"The Son of Man is to be handed over to men,
and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day."
And they were overwhelmed with grief.

When they came to Capernaum,
the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said,
"Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?"
"Yes," he said. 
When he came into the house, before he had time to speak,
Jesus asked him, "What is your opinion, Simon?
From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?
From their subjects or from foreigners?"
When he said, "From foreigners," Jesus said to him,
"Then the subjects are exempt.
But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook,
and take the first fish that comes up. 
Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax.

Give that to them for me and for you."