Replies

August 25, 2014

When the Lord knocks on our door, are we ready to let him in? God offers each of us an open door to His kingdom, but sometimes we ourselves close it. Jesus declared that he is the open door and the way that makes it possible for us to reach heaven. In today’s reading, Jesus laments as he issues a stern warning to religious leaders because they have misled the people. Oaths are binding but the Pharisees find clever ways to evade the obligation to their oaths. They forget that God hears and sees everything, even the person’s heart.

How often have we made promises such as fasting and abstinence, but when the situation presents itself, we break our promise and say it’s alright to eat beef steak because we can do a good deed or go to mass as a substitute. We take God’s command lightly.

We shut the door of God’s kingdom in our lives when we close our ears to Jesus. When we go to mass, do we pay attention to the readings and the homily? When we pray the prayer Jesus taught us: “Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven,” do we listen to the little voice inside us where God speaks to us? Do we seek his will in the silence of our heart?
Lord, your word is life to us. Help us not to close the door to your kingdom through disobedience, disbelief or indifference. Help us to listen to your voice and align our life more fully to your word.

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Español

All Issues > Volume 30, Issue 5

<< Monday, August 25, 2014 >>

St. Louis
St. Joseph Calasanz

2 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 11-12
View Readings

Psalm 96:1-5

Matthew 23:13-22
Similar Reflections

GLORIFY THY NAME

"In this way the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in You." —2 Thessalonians 1:12

I'm looking at the skyline of downtown Cincinnati. Tall buildings display the name of the parent company in lights: Fifth Third Bank, Great American, Kroger, among others. The company name is publicly exalted by these buildings. These buildings are shiny and attractive, qualities which enhance the company name. These companies wouldn't put their name on a rundown, grimy building for fear of disgracing their name.

We are Christians. Accordingly, we bear the name of Jesus. We are "an edifice" that displays the name of Jesus to the world (1 Pt 2:5). As His "buildings" (see 1 Cor 3:16), we want to be shiny and attractive for Jesus (Mt 5:14-16). It's absolutely true that Jesus loves us even when we are rundown and grimy (see Lk 15:16, 20). However, as His ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20), we want to publicly exalt and glorify Jesus' holy name by our holy, shiny, joyful lives.

The world is watching you today as you display the name of Jesus. What will they see as they look at you? How is your life glorifying "the name of our Lord Jesus" today? (2 Thes 1:12)

Prayer: Jesus, "hallowed be Your name" (Mt 6:9). May I daily grow in zeal for Your name.

Promise: "Grace and peace be yours from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." —2 Thes 1:2

Praise: St. Louis, king of France, was renowned for his concern for the poor and every day invited thirteen of them to eat with him.