In this world, there are a lot of people who want influence. They want to be and know people in powerful places and positions. They want their voices and opinions to matter. They want to be influential. It Is powerful to be influential in the worldly sense, but even more powerful in the spiritual sense.
God wants us to do good. We all know that. But in today’s gospel, we are warned and inspired at the same time. Jesus is telling us not to be like the Scribes and Pharisees who prevent others from entering God's kingdom by being negative influences on others. They are bad influence who teach wrong things and hinder the spiritual growth of others. They live far from God, and influence others to do the same. They are worldly leaders who by their lives prevent others from entering God's kingdom.
Influence is powerful and important.
How we influence others affect us. If we break the law, we will be punished. But if we influence others to break God’s laws, then we will be punished more severely. On the other hand, if we follow God, and influence others to do the same, then we will be great in God’s eyes.
What we do to others affect them. it affects us as well.
There are people in this life we influence. Officemates. Friends. Family. There may be people who look up to us, or at least watch what we are doing or how we live our lives. This is why it is important to always live right and to always choose God. What we do and how we life is important to God, but it is also important how we influence others – in a bad or hopefully a positive way.
May we be inspired and be more alert on how our lives influence others around us and work on being a good influence, not a negative one.
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 I do not become a positive influence on others. More importantly, sorry for being a bad influence on others. Sorry for not living in a way pleasing to you and glorifying you. I ask that you help me live right all the time. Help me live consistent to your ways. May I always seek and do your will. Use me, Lord. In my own little way, may I influence others in a positive way. may I lead them closer to you. amen.
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
October 15, 2020
Thursday of Week 28; St. Teresa of Avila
FIRST READING
Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the holy ones who are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.
In Christ we have redemption by his Blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.
In Christ we have redemption by his Blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. (2a) The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
ALLELUIA
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
The Lord said:
“Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed. Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. Therefore, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute’ in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.
“Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed. Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. Therefore, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute’ in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.
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