Today’s Readings:
Exodus 32:15-24,30-34
Psalm 106:19-23
Matthew 13:31-35
In our heart of hearts, we want to say that we love God and that we believe in Him and in His plan for our lives. But on a practical level, do we truly love God? As Scripture says, in Deuteronomy 6:5, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Jesus modifies it slightly by saying, “Love with all your heart, soul and mind” (Matthew 22:37). The key word here is “ALL”. This means that your thoughts, your words, your actions and your entire being are made over to God in sacrifice. But then we know that many other things preoccupy our minds, even the things we do not wish to think about. Relationships occupy our minds, and so too do our careers, financial state, political upheavals and personal insecurities all steal our time. The things we do to relax also take up some of our time as well. How then do we ensure that we are giving our all to God? What does it even mean?
Giving you all means that even in the things that we do, in our day-to-day work, our fun and rest (playing games, watching movies, listening to music and dancing, giving our time to our care for family and spouse, relationship with friends, colleagues and acquaintances or potential spouses), they should all lead to a deeper connection with God. As you are connecting to God, you should also connect others to Him. Connect your free time to God. Say, “Lord, I am spending this free time in order to build myself and rededicate my full-time energy and attention to you.” When you pray, be fully aware that you are in the presence of God. Complete disregard for God’s place in your life and relationships is a grave sin. Never leave God out of the things you do. When you do this, you are giving to creatures what rightly belongs to your Creator. Jesus says that He is the vine and we are the branches and if we cut ourselves off from Him, there is no life in us (John 15:5).
What is draining your energy, taking your time and keeping you from fully giving yourself over to God? Are there relationships you need to call quits? Are there friendships you need to properly define? Are there things you do that are taking up all your time and preventing you from fully connecting with God? Keep the words of St Ignatius of Loyola in mind: “Go forth and set the world on fire. Act as if everything depended on you; trust as if everything depended on God. Love is shown more in deeds than in words.”
JUDE-MARY OWOH
Prayer:
Lord, as this month ends, I pledge to turn a new leaf and give myself over to You completely.
May I experience the difference between shunning evil and fully committing to a relationship with You, in Jesus' name.
I pray that I may find peace and joy in trusting You and entrusting all my cares and concern to Your love and mercy in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Comments