Tuesday 21st July – St. Lawrence of Brindisi, P.D (opt. Mem)

DOING THE WILL OF THE FATHER

Matthew 12: 46-50

Virtually every Christian is familiar with the Lord’s Prayer and the words: “may your kingdom come; may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” (Matthew 6:10). Yet, how often have we said this prayer without even considering what the Father’s will is? Do we really say this prayer with a sincere desire to do the will of the Father?

It is important as Christians that we always do the Father’s will. Indeed Jesus says: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Mt 7: 21). Doing the Father’s will implies total obedience to God. Each time we are presented with choices to make in our day to day lives, do we make decisions based on what pleases our heavenly Father?

Amidst of the peer pressure and increasingly secular societal influence around us, we must make efforts to live in obedience to God even when it is difficult. We must be willing to deny ourselves of the sinful pleasures of this world so that we can truly gain Christ. Let us imitate Jesus Christ who gave up all in obedience to the Father. May we be able to say like St. Dominic Savio said, “I am not capable of doing big things, but I want to do everything, even the smallest things, for the greater glory of God.”

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please grant me the grace and courage to the Father’s will especially when it is most difficult. Give me the grace to be faithful to my Christian calling. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 521 – What does it mean to say, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”?

When we pray for the universal accomplishment of God’s will, we pray that on earth and in our own heart it may become as it already is in heaven. As long as we continue to set our hearts on our own plans, our will, and our ideas, earth cannot become heaven. One person wants this, the other that. We find our happiness, however, when together we want what God wills. Praying means making room bit by bit for God’s will on this earth.

HIDE A TREASURE: “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother” Matthew 12: 50 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Exodus 14: 21- 15:1; Exodus 15 (Canticle); Matthew 12: 46-50