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Sunday, July 18, 2010

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16th Sunday Ordinary Time


Genesis 18:1-10
Colossians 1:24-28
Psalm 15:2-5
Luke 10:38-42

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in the will

"One thing only is required. Mary has chosen the better portion and she shall not be deprived of it." —Luke 10:42

When the Lord wants us to sit at His feet and listen to His words, we are often busy about many things (Lk 10:39, 41). However, when He wants us to go and make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19), we may sit around and pray about it. We sit when we should run; we run when we should sit.

We must repent of doing our own thing instead of Jesus' thing. We must sit or run when He tells us to and not when we feel like it. There's only one right thing for us to do at any particular time. To be at the right place at the right time is to be in obedience to the Lord. Whether we're enjoying ourselves, feeling comfortable, or fitting in with the crowd is not important; He is.

Doing God's will is the meaning of life. Taking out the garbage in obedience to the Lord is of eternal significance. Being on international television in disobedience to the Lord is a waste of time and a sin, no matter what we say. The most menial tasks are charged with divine life when they are the Lord's will. Only the Lord's will is worth doing. Doing our own thing is a tragedy.

Jesus said: "Doing the will of Him Who sent Me and bringing His work to completion is My food" (Jn 4:34). Jesus promised: "Whoever does the will of God is brother and sister and mother to Me" (Mk 3:35). "To do Your will, O my God, is my delight" (Ps 40:9).

Prayer:  Father, may Your will be my only concern.

Promise:  "Even now I find my joy in the suffering I endure for you. In my own flesh I fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of His body, the church." —Col 1:24

Praise:  Praise Jesus, "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life" (Jn 14:6), Who accepted the Father's will and died to set us free.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our leaflet, Job Performance for Jesus, or on audio AV 43-3 or video V-43.)

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 29, 2009

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