Not Exempted

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/060518.cfm) reminds me that following God does not exempt me from other responsibilities in life. 

I had friends in college who were very keen on spiritual activities. They were doing bible study sessions multiple times a week, which would sometimes extend until late at night. This is something good, yearning for God and wanting to spend time with people knowing more about him and talking about him. however, some of their classmates were telling me that these people became remiss in their responsibilities in school – not doing their part on group projects and not being 100% in class because they sleep late at nigh due to bible study sessions. It was sad that their actions do not reflect a good testament to the faith.

Following God does not exempt us from other rules and responsibilities in life. 

In the gospel, Jesus tells us that he expects us to give to Caesar what is due Caesar, and to God what is God’s. We cannot serve the country and say we do not need to serve God anymore, since we are serving the country. Likewise, we cannot say we do not need to serve others anymore if we are serving God. These things go hand in hand. 

Serving others and doing our responsibilities are necessary to strengthen and proclaim our faith to others. 

We need to give proper attention to the different aspects in our lives. We cannot say it is okay to be mediocre in our studies or career or business because we are doing extra-curricular work serving God. Serving God is not an excuse for mediocrity. We need not excel in every aspect of our lives, but we should try. We should give our best in everything – in our service to God, in our work, in our relationships with other people – parents, family, significant other, etc.  This is a good testament of our faith. This is what God wants.

Do I serve God? In what way? Do I use my service as an excuse for mediocre performance in other aspects of and responsibilities in my life? How can I concretize my love and service for God? Do I give God my best in all the areas and aspects of my life? Is my life a great testament to the faith?

May we always do our best, in serving God and in fulfilling our responsibilities, so we can give a good testament to our faith. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for giving me another day to live. Thank you Lord for reminding me how you want me to live. Thank you for being patient with me. Lord, sorry for the times I am not able to do this. Sorry for being contented with just one. Sorry for not giving you the best in everything. Sorry for using you as an excuse for mediocrity. Help me live the way you want me to. Lord, as I live my life today, I pray that I give my best in everything that I do. May I do my best not because I want recognition or praise, but because as I offer my life to you, I want to give you the best in all aspects of it, because you deserve the best that I can give. I will give my best because I want my actions and my life to be a positive testament of my faith and of how great you are. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

June 5, 2018

Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr
Lectionary: 354

Reading 1 2 PT 3:12-15A, 17-18

Beloved:
Wait for and hasten the coming of the day of God,
because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames
and the elements melted by fire.
But according to his promise
we await new heavens and a new earth
in which righteousness dwells.

Therefore, beloved, since you await these things,
be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.
And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation.

Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned,
be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled
and to fall from your own stability.
But grow in grace
and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
To him be glory now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Responsorial Psalm PS 90:2, 3-4, 10, 14 AND 16

R. (1) In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Before the mountains were begotten
and the earth and the world were brought forth,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You turn man back to dust,
saying, "Return, O children of men."
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Seventy is the sum of our years,
or eighty, if we are strong,
And most of them are fruitless toil,
for they pass quickly and we drift away.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Let your work be seen by your servants
and your glory by their children.
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

Alleluia SEE EPH 1:17-18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope
that belongs to his call.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 12:13-17

Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent
to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech.
They came and said to him,
"Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man
and that you are not concerned with anyone's opinion.
You do not regard a person's status
but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?
Should we pay or should we not pay?"
Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them,
"Why are you testing me?
Bring me a denarius to look at."
They brought one to him and he said to them,
"Whose image and inscription is this?"
They replied to him, "Caesar's."
So Jesus said to them,
"Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God what belongs to God."
They were utterly amazed at him.