Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time (February 1, 2018): The secret to success

Thứ Tư, 31-01-2018 | 16:06:30

Today’s Readings:

1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12
1 Chronicles 29:10-12
Mark 6:7-13
www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020118.cfm

USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/18_02_01.mp3

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick
–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.
He said to them,
“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them.”
So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Good News Reflection:

King Solomon was a very successful, highly blessed king. He built the Temple of Jerusalem, he prospered Israel, he amassed more wealth than any other king, he was recognized throughout the known world for his outstanding wisdom, and his spirituality was so strong that he wrote and/or influenced four books of the Bible: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Songs, and the Book of Wisdom.

The secret to Solomon’s success is explained by his father, David, in today’s first reading: “Keep the mandate of the Lord, your God, following his ways and observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees … that you may succeed in whatever you do …”

Remaining faithful to God keeps us united to God from whom all blessings flow.

Remaining faithful means we align our thoughts with God’s thoughts, our will to his will. The reason why we sometimes have unloving thoughts, selfish thoughts, and self-destructive thoughts is because we don’t practice self-control. It takes effort to remain faithful to God, and when we don’t put forth this effort, we slide down the path of least resistance.

When we’re surrounded by people whose minds are not on God, it’s a lot easier to wander away from God’s blessings. When we expose ourselves to influences that are contrary to God’s, we become vulnerable to misconceptions and temptations. However, we live in a world where there are lots of ungodly people and unholy influences. So, we have to work harder to keep ourselves faithfully aligned with God.

Let us never be satisfied that we have done enough to remain in God! Jesus, save us from such complacency!

God gives us opportunities daily to remain in his blessings: daily Mass (which might require personal sacrifices or a new work schedule that God is happy to obtain for you), Christian music, praying at the tabernacle in church, making use of the Rosary and other special prayers, watching TV shows and movies that build up our spirits, attending prayer meetings or Small Christian Community gatherings, studying the Bible, and … the opportunities are endless.

How much of your time is spent influencing your mind with God’s opportunities versus being exposed to the world’s influences? The secret to true success is immersing ourselves in God. Then, no matter how accursed our lives might seem to become, we know we are always being blessed by the Lord. He will transform every bad situation into great blessings.

Today’s Prayer:

Lord: Today I choose to take Your Word seriously. I want to be Your instrument, with Your love and Your power, to reach those people who are looking for You from the bottom of their hearts. Amen.

Tags: Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Good News Reflection, Holy Gospel according to Mark, The secret to success