Monday, 13th July- Monday of week 15 of the year

DO YOU LOVE GOD ABOVE ALL THINGS?

Matthew 10:34- 11:1

“Those who try to gain their own life will lose it; but those who lose their life for my sake will gain it”(Mt 10:39).
Loving God above all things including our own lives does require a whole lot from us. It means glorifying him in love and thanksgiving, for this is the great commandment given to us in Deuteronomy 6:5 that we are to love God with all our heart, all our soul and all our strength. This does not in any way come easy, having to stand against our personal desires and a world that offers us fame and money first in place of God. It should be noted however, that all these would only lead us to nothing but pain, disappointments, sufferings and death of our souls. In the gospel reading of today, Jesus Christ himself puts it to us that the level at which we put God is the level at which he would put us at the end of time. As Christians, we should always put Jesus in the first strata of our lives, so we would also be elevated on the last day. “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Such a man shall die the second death of eternal damnation where there will be gnashing of teeth.

Dear beloved, ask yourself today; what has taken the place of God in my life? What worries me more than loving God? Is it academics, finances, good health, family issues etc.? All these are temporal; only eternal happiness is permanent and that should be our goal. Seek God, carry your cross joyfully and all the good things you desire on earth shall be given to you. Remember, seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all other things shall be added unto you.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, everything I count as profitable, I give them up today for the sake of thy kingdom and salvation of my soul. Help me to love you above all. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT468– What should a person yearn for most?
The ultimate and greatest longing of a person can only be for God. To see him, our creator, Lord, and Redeemer, is unending blessedness.

Hide a treasure: “Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8 GNB

Today’s Readings: Exodus 1:8-14,22; Psalm 124:1-3,4-6,7-8; Matthew 10:34-11:1