Gospel: Matthew 7: 21-29
On the surface, these actions of performing miracles, exorcising demons, prophesying, and invoking the Lord's name seem to be good things. But if they are done for one's own advancement instead of out of mercy they do indeed become actions the Lord would not recognize. The motive and intention of our actions is as important as the actions themselves.
Consider the example of Jesus: he rejected the temptations of the devil to worldly power, wealth, and personal exaltation. In his public ministry he went about doing good, avoiding both the crowd and his disciples to be alone with God. Jesus knew also the crowd and his disciples would make him an earthly king, use him for their own political ends and not for the reasons of mercy and love for which God called forth the ministry of Jesus.
Today we reflect on our own motives in the actions we perform. Are we about the work of healing and feeding others out of mercy and love for the good of others, or are we creating an earthly empire for ourselves and using the name of Jesus for personal advancement, political power, and material gain? Today is a good day to be in a deserted place alone with God as Jesus did, listening to God speak within.
No comments:
Post a Comment