Monday, August 19, 2019

Gospel Thoughts Today: Possessions are Temporary

Last year we purchased a new car for me to drive. I had a 2004 Toyota Avalon that was approaching 14 years old and it was time for a change. Instead of selling it, we gave it to our son-in-law as his even older car was failing. My old Avalon has seen a lot over the last 15 years . . . two parents through end of life; daughters learning how to drive (scariest thing ever!); early morning school drop-offs and after school pickups; car seats housing my precious grandchildren. The list goes on and on. The embedded scratches on the bumper where I dragged wheelchairs in and out of my trunk for both parents at end of life covered with a new paint job years ago had appeared once again from dragging strollers in and out (man are they heavy now!). There will come a day when my old "girl" will lose her get up and go no matter how well it is maintained. But the memories . . . good and bad . . . will remain in my heart forever. Possessions are only "things" which will fade or break down over time. Love of Christ and commitment to Him will last an eternity.

Today's Gospel (Matthew 19:16-22) is truer today than ever before in history . . . more possessions, less God . . . when it should be just the opposite:

A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He asked him, “Which ones?”

And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

In the Monthly Message from October 2005, Jesus provides courage to find joy and peace in service, not possessions:

"I have willed a time of great joy for My beloved apostles. Joy is something that the world wishes to take from God’s children, but joy is available nonetheless. The world encourages souls to concentrate on comfort and earthly possessions. I ask you to concentrate on service. This is a marked contrast, is it not? Let me explain why concentrating on service brings you joy. If you rise each day and pledge allegiance to God, you will begin that day with more thought of serving than being served. In this way, you look at your day as an opportunity to work for heaven and to work for heaven’s children, your brothers and sisters. This perspective sends you into the day as a servant. When the day presents you with the inevitable opportunities to assist or console, or simply to be tolerant of your brothers or sisters, you do not view this as a burden, or an interruption in your entertainment and comfort, but as a request made to you directly from the Throne of your God. And fulfilling a request made to you by your God brings you joy. You serve heaven and we fulfill our part of the agreement by sending you joy. If all of God’s children were living this way, there would be great joy on earth and through this joy would come peace. But if even one of God’s children makes the commitment to serve as a beloved apostle, there is an increase of joy and an increase in peace. This is because an apostle does not become angry when he or she is inconvenienced. That apostle responds in calm trust when the world presents them with difficulty or even pain. There is no striking out at others. There is no rebelliousness. There is peace. The world is changing and it is changing one soul at a time. Join Me now and make a commitment to peace in your world. I will send it through you, My beloved apostles."

Lay apostles, think about what defines you today. If this were your last day on earth, what would those left behind say about you and your life? That you had a big house and a fancy car? Or, that you lived a life of love, kindness, service, and humility. I pray I am remembered by the latter.

Thank you, Lord, for opening my eyes to what is truly important . . . You and shining Your Light to others. And, the reminder that possessions are only temporary on this earth, unlike Your Love which endures forever.

God bless,
Bonnie

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