Actions speak louder than words. Say what you mean and mean what you say, but don't be mean. Pretty basic concepts, right? I just finished reading Mitch Albom's book The Next Person You Meet in Heaven. It is the sequel to The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Wow. Just wow. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend doing so. My takeaway? We don't ever know exactly why other people make the decisions/choices they do . . . my guess is most are made to cope with human woundedness. Sometimes the truth is so painful, disguising it as anger, depression or lying seems easier. The problem is, if we don't demonstrate in our actions and words the love of Christ to our children and those around us, how can they move on to be good, kind and loving Christian people heading toward eternity with Christ? It's never too late to change behavior. It starts with me. It's never too late for internal discipline.
Todays Gospel (Matthew 23:23-26) is all about cleaning up the inside to shine His light on the outside:
Jesus said: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. But these you should have done, without neglecting the others. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean."
In Anne a lay apostle's book Serving in Clarity, she shows us when we disregard how we treat others, let alone ourselves, we bruise our dear Jesus:
“Jesus pulls us in, close against Himself, even though in doing so the Lord risks injury. And it is true that we often wound Jesus. We wound Him intentionally, through sin, and unintentionally, through neglect and mistrust.”
Lay apostles, it takes time and discipline to make behavioral changes within ourselves. Instead of looking pious on the outside yet unholy on the inside, make a commitment to yourself to eliminate anything detrimental to your soul. There isn't one bad behavior/wound you cannot overcome with Jesus by your side, in your heart, and on your mind. Maybe you're thinking it's too late to change a behavior others have become accustomed to. The change would upset everything. Well, guess what? If you are making the the decision for Jesus, others will adapt. They may even agree it's the right decision! Making one small change today will bring you one step closer to a large change tomorrow.
Thank you, Lord, for giving me the courage and internal discipline I need to make important decisions with You in mind. And, for the graces You give me in return!
God bless,
Bonnie
Prayerfully posted by: Bonnie, lay apostle of JCRK at 11:50 AM
Todays Gospel (Matthew 23:23-26) is all about cleaning up the inside to shine His light on the outside:
Jesus said: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. But these you should have done, without neglecting the others. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel! "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean."
In Anne a lay apostle's book Serving in Clarity, she shows us when we disregard how we treat others, let alone ourselves, we bruise our dear Jesus:
“Jesus pulls us in, close against Himself, even though in doing so the Lord risks injury. And it is true that we often wound Jesus. We wound Him intentionally, through sin, and unintentionally, through neglect and mistrust.”
Lay apostles, it takes time and discipline to make behavioral changes within ourselves. Instead of looking pious on the outside yet unholy on the inside, make a commitment to yourself to eliminate anything detrimental to your soul. There isn't one bad behavior/wound you cannot overcome with Jesus by your side, in your heart, and on your mind. Maybe you're thinking it's too late to change a behavior others have become accustomed to. The change would upset everything. Well, guess what? If you are making the the decision for Jesus, others will adapt. They may even agree it's the right decision! Making one small change today will bring you one step closer to a large change tomorrow.
Thank you, Lord, for giving me the courage and internal discipline I need to make important decisions with You in mind. And, for the graces You give me in return!
God bless,
Bonnie
Prayerfully posted by: Bonnie, lay apostle of JCRK at 11:50 AM
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