Here are the readings for the 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time, August 22, 2010:
Isaiah 66: 18-21
Psalm 117: 1-2
Hebrews 12: 5-7, 11-13
Luke 13: 22-30- What is the importance of discipline for us?
- What gets us discouraged?
- What helps us stay on the right path?
Our response to God’s graces requires preparation and discipline; those who refuse the call will suffer negative consequences. Positive responses will depend upon souls feeling a need for change and improvement.
ReplyDeleteAs a golfer every time I hit a bad shot, I feel a need for change. I’m not doing this the right way.
As a son growing up and I would disobey my parents wishing, I felt regret. Usually all I needed to say was, sorry, and then do what they asked. But I know I was wrong, and they were always right!
As a husband every time I didn’t wash my dish after dinner or pick my cloths up, I know I was wrong and just being a lazy pig. These are easy fixes, but I definitely wore my wife’s patience thin at times.
But all of these things with discipline to do the right things, practice hitting golf shots, listening to and heading my parents wishes, washing the dishes and picking up after myself around the house, lead to great things, a lower handicap, proud parents, and a happy wife and home life.
Our Christian journey isn't much different then these. Christ enrolls us in a course of study in which His Holy Spirit teaches us to love as God loves, unconditionally through self-giving, thus breaking us of being only self-receiving, always expecting a large return for our negligible investments.
With prayer, faith filled acts of love and perseverance God's goal is to make us His true children, willing to sacrifice, to grow in holiness, to avoid immorality in any form. This means we are to have a positive attitude toward others, upholding their dignity, rights and reputation.