Inspirations at your Fingertips!

restoredministriesblog.com Thursday of week 12 in Ordinary Time Matthew 7:21-29 it is not enough that we call God "Lord, Lord". If we don't do his will it all accounts to nothing. The author of the Book of Kings narrated this story to point out that even Israel was not exempted from the punishment just because they were the chosen people of God.  Even they were exiled to Babylon like Adam and Eve who were removed from paradise  simply because they disobeyed God and have turned to gods. Matthew recalled the image of the house built on rock.  We should know the solid rock to base our faith on.  We need to anticipate the trials our faith would undergo. And third, we need to act of them. What is that rock?  Jesus; God himself.  The tests to faith? Temptation and the world's persecutions.  They will do everything to veer us away from God. Acts of faith?  Faithfulness, obedience to God, compassion to others.  Faith manifested in concrete ...

quintoevangelio.com Tuesday of week 12 in Ordinary Time Matthew 7:6,12-14 Since yesterday, Matthew has been emphasizing love for neighbor, "Judge not and you will not be judged." Today, our statement still holds:  Our love for God reflects back to how we deal with our neighbors. First, Matthew clarifies the role of loving others.  They are not above loving God.  From loving him flows love for self and others. Second, Matthew emphasizes the Golden rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  It's what loving one's neighbor as oneself means.  If we want success and happiness, bring success and happiness to others too.  And third, there's no easy way to loving oneself and others.  Discipline, education, formation, planting the seeds, they all demand time, talent, and treasure for caring.   Formation of children and parishioners, it will demand a lifetime of pain.  But the rewards are endless. Thus, give God what is due him - ...

http://thepositivitysolution.com/judging-others/ Monday of week 12 in Ordinary Time Matthew 7:1-5 Our relationship with God is reflected on our relationship with others.  If we are the judgmental type, we play the role of a god who judges.  Thus, we become our own gods.  Matthew teaches simply, "Don't judge and you will not be judged."  We are fond of looking down at others but we are blind to ourselves.  Thus, everyone should stop this practice since we have all sinned before God and are worthy to receive his just punishment. Second, our measure of judgment comes back to us.  How unfortunate this is!  Just when Jesus underscored saving the other through forgiveness, here we are condemning others.  Thus, we shall be measured by measure we use against others. Third, Matthew stresses on self-correction as our main purpose in this life. There is not one moment in this world when sin would abandon us.  Thus, we don't have time to correct others b...

Saturday of week 9 in Ordinary Time Mark 12:38-44 "The fighting the good fight, running the race, keeping the faith" from St. Paul marks the true meaning of life. This norm helps us be pointed to our life's goal and not be sidetracked with other concerns.  Though we understand that it is the different facets of life that make life exciting, still we would like to see a golden thread tying all these things together. The gospel says the same thing: "The widow put in everything she had".  Everything!  Where would I put everything of my life?  These are my suggestions to make like truly meaningful: 1. Devote your life to teaching. Our lives serve as teaching modules for the younger generation.  All accomplishments, prayers, and good works as well as the scandals, shortcomings, and frailties - though our lives are not perfect, they teach valuable lessons for the next generation.  And young people, lest you want to commit the same mistakes over and ove...

Friday of week 9 in Ordinary Time Mark 12:35-37 There are three ways of knowing things. This is also true in knowing God. The first one is knowing in the level of the mind.   We have been taught that the only reason for man's existence is to know, love, and adore God.  But now, there are much more that we need to learn about life - science, arts, humanity, social sciences, technology, medicine.  We also need to know how to become rich, how to take care of ourselves above others, and how to priorities oneself and not God. But the more we become ignorant of God, the more we put our and others' lives at risk.  The more selfish we become, the more we abuse this earth, the more we cause pandemics, social sicknesses, and so forth, and the more we put this world at an end. Heed the words of Socrates then, "The more I know, the more I do not know." In knowing about God, we need a huge dosage of humility.  The affects us, that spiritual pride and arr...