Good News Reflection
Friday of the 22nd Week of Ordinary Time
September 5, 2014
Today’s Readings:
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Psalm 37:3-6, 27-28,39-40
Luke 5:33-39
It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you. (1 Corinthians 4:3)
Christ Way, we are one
A saying made famous by Alcoholics Anonymous goes like this: “What others think of me is none of my business.” That’s a good reminder to all of us that people’s opinions about us shouldn’t rule our lives. When they speak something negative about us, it really says more about who they are than it does about who we are. Conversely, what we say about other people reflects back on us. In the final analysis, the only person we have to please is God. What a peaceful world this would be if everyone adopted this philosophy!
Paul says something similar to the believers in Corinth. They are squabbling over doctrines, favoring one apostle over another, and becoming divided as a result. But Paul doesn’t want them to get hung up on personalities. He’s simply a messenger who has been called to share the good news. They can’t really judge him, or any apostle, as being more important than another. If he lived in our day, Paul might just as well have said, “It’s not about me; it’s about Jesus.”
It’s not that opinions don’t matter. We all have likes and dislikes. There’s nothing wrong with these, as long as our opinions don’t put walls between us and people we disagree with. We have to remember that charity is the most important thing, because it is the virtue closest to God’s heart.
If you are getting distracted by what someone is doing or saying, take a moment to focus on Jesus. Remember that he died not only for you but for everyone who disagrees with you. He loves each of us with a love that is total and unconditional. Ask for that love to penetrate your heart more deeply. Let his grace help you to see all the people around you—even the ones you disagree with—as his sons and daughters and as your brothers and sisters. Jesus’ love has pulled down “the dividing wall of enmity” (Ephesians 2:14). In Christ, we are truly one!
It’s not about me; it’s about Jesus
Benedictus Vicimus
Blinded by my pride
I cant see your compassionate eyes
Deafened with my self-righteousness
I cant hear your marvelous word
Distracted by my own wants and needs
Disturbed by my own insecurities and fears
Disoriented by other’s opinion and the pain it causes me
A world far from where you want me to be
“It’s not about me; it’s about Jesus.”
A clear understanding of whom I am and who I want to be
“It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.”
“It’s not about me; it’s about Jesus.”
It is not about what I want but it is what You want my Lord
It is not about my own selfish pride
But it is how I can express my Love for you
Let me find you in every way, in everyone
May I always humble myself to seek you in all ways, in every way
May I always choose You and focus on you each day
Holy Spirit fill my soul, to keep the judgement in Your care
Let Your love reign in my life so I can walk in holiness
Let your Mercy fills my heart so I can easily forgive and forget
Let Your wisdom nourish my mind to understand your will
Let Your ways my Lord, Only Your ways not mine
It is all about You my Lord and God
It is all about Your mercy and Love
It is all about Your will and desire
Let it be done to me according to Your love. Amen.
The Ministry of the Apostles
“It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God. “1 Corinthians 4:1-5
PRAYER OF THE SOUL
“
Lord, there are many I disagree with. Help me to look beyond our differences to find harmony in the power of your love!”
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