MERE INSTRUMENTS

For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. – 2 Corinthians 4:5

As a writer, blogger, and occasional speaker, I sometimes get messages from people about how inspiring I am. And every single time this happens, I feel humbled and privileged to be able to share God’s Word with others in my own little way.

I also always reply with a phrase like this: “Praise God! I am just His weak, sinful servant. If you find anything inspiring about me or my life, then it’s all because of His grace.” Because that’s the truth: We are all mere instruments of God—if we let Him use us.

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us, God created us to know, love, and serve Him. He wants us to preach the Gospel not just through our words, but through our actions. You don’t have to be a writer, blogger, or speaker like me, or a well-known author and preacher like Bo Sanchez to do this.

You can share God’s love to others even in simple ways. Just say “yes” to His call today. Tina Santiago Rodriguez (trulyrichandblessed@gmail.com)

Reflect: How is God calling you to preach His Word to others?

Lord, thank You for the honor and privilege of serving You through the people I meet every day.

St. Anthony of Padua, priest and Doctor of the Church, pray for us.

Often, we keep hidden the truth of the Gospel. We are afraid or embarrassed to make public our Christian convictions. This is a great disservice to the Gospel and we must change this attitude. The world needs to hear us speak in love about the Gospel, and not judgment. This is all that God asks us to do—the rest of the work of evangelization is up to Him.

2 Corinthians 3:15–4:1, 3-6

15 Brothers and sisters: to this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over the hearts of the children of Israel, 16 but whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit. 4:1 Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy shown us, we are not discouraged. 3 And even though our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled for those who are perishing, 4 in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they may not see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus. 6 For God who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14

R: The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.

9 I will hear what God proclaims; the Lord—for he proclaims peace to his people. 10 Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. (R) 11 Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. 12 Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. (R) 13 The Lord himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. 14 Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps. (R)

GOSPEL 

Jesus calls the Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites. He says their lives do not reflect what they teach. As Christians, we have a high standard set for us by Jesus and the saints. Sometimes, our own expectations are difficult to attain. Let us be witnesses to the truth of the Gospel at all times.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you. 

Matthew 5:20-26

20 Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. 21 “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. 22 But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. 23 Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, 24 leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

think: Do you practice what you preach?

 

 

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus outlines the proper attitude of a genuine disciple. He has in view the ultimate goal each of His followers should strive for: holiness, to be “perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Not easy! Holiness is not attained by simply obeying the law. Too many try to get away with a legalistic application of the law. Jesus gives several examples from the Law of Moses and points out that these laws do not go far enough. Laws are not only guidelines to a proper conduct in life, to preserve order, and avoid chaos in society. Laws are signs that show the way to an inner transformation, which goes to the roots of one’s very being. It is not enough to avoid murder. Few commit actual murder, but many nourish resentments and brooding anger in their hearts that make them want to kill a person. Most people will not actually kill but through their attitude, through their words and actions, they can make the life of that person miserable.

This anger, harbored in the depth of one’s heart, blocks the power of Christ’s Word from transforming the person. Of course, very few are able to separate the emotional life from the spiritual life. Emotions can run high and overpower us. It is important to be aware of their dangerous power and guard and check them as early as possible. Even Jesus got very angry at times and flared up. But we never find prolonged anger in Him.

Another problem Jesus addresses is that we often have difficulty forgiving and seeking reconciliation. He urges us to seek reconciliation as soon as possible. We might not be brought to court but the longer reconciliation is postponed, the more difficult it becomes. Jesus is our model. He forgave even the worst sinner easily. He has forgiven us so many times and does not hold any grudges against us. His example can help us to eradicate the lingering minimalism in us and become generous, as God is generous with us sinners. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

------- REFLECTION QUESTION -------

Do you harbor ill feelings or do you try to get them out of your system immediately?

Lord, thank You for bringing me to the root of so many things that went wrong in my spirituality and relationships. Give me the light to learn from You in order to change and so proceed on the way to holiness. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ___________________________