The WORD today reminds me that me doing good pleases God, that I can offer it as a sacrifice to Him.
People often associate sacrifice with something negative. Fasting. Abstinence. Not doing something or giving up something. However, today we are reminded that this need not be the case. Sacrifice to God can also be seen as something positive – like doing good to others and sharing what we have. God is pleased with these as well.
Doing good to others pleases God.
In the first reading, we see that Jesus offered a sacrifice of praise. Not sacrifice as in giving up something negative. Makes sense, because he is the son of God, although he is like us in every way - except sin. So there is no negative in him. His sacrifice is positive. Confess God with our lips. Do good and share with others. We are reminded that God is pleased with these things. Sacrifice can be something positive.
In the gospel, we see another example of Jesus doing this. He originally would have wanted to have quiet time with his tired apostles, but when he saw people thirsty for God’s word, he changed his plans and went out of his comfort zone to do good to others, to serve and nourish others, even if he was tired or had other plans.
In life, we are all busy with different things. We all have our plates full. It is easy to be focused only on oneself, one’s dreams, hopes and plans. It becomes easy to forget others and be insensitive to others. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, we see that the rich man went to hell not because he was bad or evil, but because he denied doing good to Lazarus. His love for oneself and money was so great, greater than his love for God that can be expressed through the beggar Lazarus. Today we are reminded that it is not only pleasing to God, but beneficial for our souls as well to do good and share what we have to others.
How do I live my life? How do I serve God? Do I offer sacrifices to God? Do I do good things to others for God? How do I thank God for my blessings? What does God want me to do today?
May we remember that a sacrifice can also be something positive, and be motivated to do things that are pleasing to God such as proclaiming his word, doing good to others, and sharing our blessings.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. Lord, I thank you for the reminder and I am sorry for the times I ignore this. Sorry for the times I am too focused on myself and fail to see the needs of others. Sorry for the times I justify neglecting others by thinking that they may be syndicates or whatever. Give me a heart like yours, who would be willing to change my plans and step out of my comfort zones to help out others. Give me a heart that would be pleased to offer you good things. May my life and actions be a pleasing sacrifice to you. As you bless me, I will share and extend these blessings to others as well. Amen.
Blessed Weekend!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflections:
February 06, 2021
Saturday of Week 4; St. Paul Miki and Companions
FIRST READING
Brothers and sisters:
Through Jesus, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind.
Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account, that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow, for that would be of no advantage to you.
May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep by the Blood of the eternal covenant, furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will. May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose. Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side With your rod and your staff that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
ALLELUIA
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.
When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
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