Tuesday, February 7, 2012
This people honors me only with lip service,
while their hearts are far from me.
The worship they offer me is worthless;
the doctrines they teach are only human regulations.
This people honors me only with lip service,
while their hearts are far from me.
The worship they offer me is worthless;
the doctrines they teach are only human regulations.
How many times are there even in just a day or a week of days that we do not ourselves make decisions or judge others in their making of decisions that seem to be more driven by something other than our personal love of God? It is so easy to judge others by actions that are far from bringing a person closer to Jesus, the Father or the Holy Spirit. It is so easy to determine that failing to attend Mass on a holy day of obligation (which by the way includes all Sundays throughout the year!!!) is a sound reason for judging someone as not worthy of the kingdom of God. At times we place the same burden upon our own hearts.
How many times does an habitual sin keep us from the Eucharist and Reconciliation? How many times do our actions such as these mentioned block our coming to know God with the love that should be most operative in our hearts and souls? Far too many I would say ... having heard confession so many times in the last 40 years.
When was the last time given to examining the strength of one's love for God? Consider the time or times when your heart was smitten by another person. Consider the time when some object more captivated your ability to love than did Jesus, the God who has done so much for you throughout your lives.
St. Mark's gospel reading for today's Masses is a reminder that too easily we can forget the importance of knowing how strong our love for God is. What would happen in your life today if you make the effort to discover how strong your love is for God? Would you be disappointed in yourself? Would you be embarrassed by how little time or consideration you might be affording your heart and soul to consider seriously the power of God's love for you and, in turn, what attention you might be giving to your love for God.
How many times does an habitual sin keep us from the Eucharist and Reconciliation? How many times do our actions such as these mentioned block our coming to know God with the love that should be most operative in our hearts and souls? Far too many I would say ... having heard confession so many times in the last 40 years.
When was the last time given to examining the strength of one's love for God? Consider the time or times when your heart was smitten by another person. Consider the time when some object more captivated your ability to love than did Jesus, the God who has done so much for you throughout your lives.
St. Mark's gospel reading for today's Masses is a reminder that too easily we can forget the importance of knowing how strong our love for God is. What would happen in your life today if you make the effort to discover how strong your love is for God? Would you be disappointed in yourself? Would you be embarrassed by how little time or consideration you might be affording your heart and soul to consider seriously the power of God's love for you and, in turn, what attention you might be giving to your love for God.
