Are you God-centered or self-centered? In the parable in today's Gospel reading, the master of the house brings into the banquet "the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame" (Lk 14:21). He does this not so much to help the poor and handicapped but rather to fill His house. We want to lead others to salvation not primarily for their benefit but to give glory to the Savior. We should pray and go to Church not primarily to be blessed but to give our lives to the Lord and worship Him. We shouldn't overcome temptations primarily to live free and victorious on earth and then go to heaven; rather, our motivation should be to become holy and thereby make hallowed the name of God, our Father (Mt 6:9).

When we pray, are we asking Jesus to answer our prayers, or are we trying to answer His prayers? Do we ask Jesus to do things for us, or do we ask for the privilege of doing everything for Him? We shouldn't invite Jesus to come into our hearts as if Jesus needed to center Himself on us. Rather, we should beg Jesus for the privilege of entering into His heart. "All that matters is that in any and every way...Christ is being proclaimed!" (Phil 1:18)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, March 22, 1997

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 26, 1997