Today’s Readings:
Wisdom 7:22-8:1
Psalm 119:89-91,130,135,175
Luke 17:20-25
There is a tiny country called Brunei with a population of less than 500,000 people. It is so small that you will not be able to pinpoint it on your map. Brunei has a monarch, their prime minister or Sultan named Hassanal Bolkiah. The 77-year-old monarch holds the Guinness world record for the largest collection of Rolls Royce cars in the world, a fleet of 500 cars. In case you don’t know a Rolls Royce, the cheapest model of this car (Rolls Royce Wraith) is worth $635,000. This car is worth 535.7 million naira and one man has 500 of them in a country of less than half a million people. The only natural question that should cross your mind is, “What is the state of life of the people living in his tiny community?” Well, your guess is as good as mine.
When Jesus says in the Gospel, “The kingdom of God is among you,” He is pointing to the fact that we are responsible for either our blessings or calamity. A world so rich in human and natural resources has absolutely no excuse to cry for poverty and lack. Yet poverty and lack are the order of the day. Poverty exists because greed persists. Mahatma Gandhi once said, "The world has enough for everyone's needs, but not everyone's greed." The kingdom of God begins in every heart, every heart that is disposed to do the will of God.
What is needed for God’s kingdom to be established in your heart?
Fear of God (which is the beginning of wisdom)
Wisdom (which is the presence of the Holy Spirit in us)
Charity (which makes us think about the good of others)
Purity of mind and body (without which no one can see God)
Generosity (which causes us to share with others the little we have)
Truth (which makes us credible and dependable)
Ongoing conversion (a realization that we can only overcome our sins through courage and constant return to God)
Peace (the Holy Spirit’s gift to those who study God’s word)
Joy (And unexplainable fruit of the Spirit which assures us that all will be well even in the face of overwhelming difficulties).
Make a personal commitment today to bring a little piece of heaven into the lives of those
you will encounter as you go about your day.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
Prayer:
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High.
To show forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.
For thou, O Lord has made me glad through thy work; I will triumph in the works of thy hands.
Heavenly Father may Your kingdom come and let Your will be done in my life, in Jesus' name.
May all that I say and do each day make the world better for everyone I shall meet through Christ our Lord.? Amen.
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