Our faithful response

Sisters and brothers in Christ, the Lord our God teaches us "what is good for us, and lead [us] on the way [we] should go." The question is, are we willing to humble ourselves and learn from God? Are we willing to follow Him where He leads us, even if it is not what we would want to do? Moreover, the Lord our God tells us that if we "would hearken to [His] commandments", then we would prosper in life, not in the worldly material ways, but in the ways that are most important for our salvation. Once again, the question is, are we willing to humble ourselves and listen to and follow God's commandments, or do we do what we want to do?

I recently read an article on discernment of vocations - where God is calling us in life - and it said that when our will aligns with God's will for us, then there is this overwhelming sense of peace that envelops us. I experienced this peace throughout my discernment of the diaconate and especially important now as I discern God's will in my diaconal ministry.

God reveals Himself to us in many ways. We can either respond to God with humility and obedience and be at peace. Or we can be like the crowds in the marketplaces, in today's Gospel, who are indifferent to God and do not respond to Him one way or the other, in essence ignoring God in our lives. We do not give God praise and thanksgiving for all the blessings in our lives. We do not turn to God in times of need and times of challenges and difficulties but blame God for our situations.

God is love. Regardless of our response, His love and wisdom endure forever. He continues to love us and sustains us until the day He recalls us from this world. May we respond to His love with love in return, as faithful and humble servants of our Father in heaven.

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Gospel of the Day

Jesus said to the crowds:

“To what shall I compare this generation? 

It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another,

‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance,

we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’ 

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said,

‘He is possessed by a demon.’ 

The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said,

‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,

a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ 

But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”