October 22
Love God First
Today’s Gospel:
Luke 12:49-53
(Love God First
and Foremost)
“I came to cast fire upon the earth;
and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with;
and how I am constrained until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have
come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; for
henceforth in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two
against three; they will be divided, father against son and son against father,
mother against daughter and daughter against her mother, mother-in-law against
her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."
Reflection:
Who do you love more than anyone in the whole world? God. Of course!
Jesus wants first place in your heart, and He’s worth it. When He talks about
fire upon the earth, He’s not trying to scare us. He’s getting our attention.
Our choices matter. When we put God first, everything else falls into place.
When we put anything else first, even someone we dearly love, it throws our
whole life off balance. I’m no scholar, and you don’t need to be one. The rule
is simple: Jesus first, Others second, You (me) last. Live
the life of J.O.Y., and it will all make sense.
This Gospel is Good News. It’s an invitation to freedom. Are you tired of being
weighed down by sin, by hatred, by whatever is wearing down your mind and soul?
Open the Gospels. Peace and Joy are there, and Jesus is there, waiting to lead
you closer to Himself. It works like any friendship. The more time you spend
with someone, the better you know them, and the more you want to be near them. So,
open your Bible every single day. Even ten minutes will change you.
Give your life to Jesus today, like never before. He will not let you down.
Then let the Holy Spirit lead. Be a living witness of real kindness and real
charity. When someone is hungry, feed them. When someone needs help, help them.
When someone needs Jesus, introduce them. Be the friend someone is missing.
Listen to someone who needs an ear. Putting God first means everyone else comes
second, and that’s how love spreads. So, love your neighbor. It doesn’t matter
what they believe or how they live. Love them just the same. We are all God’s
children, and we need each other. It is Beneath the Standard of Mary that our love for God will easily take first place in our lives. Talk to you tomorrow.
Who or what has been taking first place in your heart lately? What would change
in your day if you opened the Gospels every morning? Who needs to meet Jesus
through you this week?
Rosary
Man Jim 🌹
Freely
given. Freely shared!
