What about the expression on someone's face that is ridiculously funny; a personality that shows up in lieu of a comment??? What about the divine spark my husband and I share when we look at each other and share our most personal thoughts? What about love and joy that GOD has placed in our hearts? What about baby's first babble or the things our pets do to get our attention?
What about the fact that someone is trying to measure up to God and, instead, is making a complete fool of himself..... Arguably, expressions do not have the same value for all. Why not try being yourself by acting human as God intended? While some express joy, others chose not to and undoubtedly devalue thier lives. If we were all alike, the world would be so unamazing.....and, for many, it is!
Monday after Epiphany
Lectionary: 212
Reading 1 1 Jn 3:22–4:6
Beloved:
We receive from him whatever we ask,
because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
And his commandment is this:
we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,
and love one another just as he commanded us.
Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them,
and the way we know that he remains in us
is from the Spirit whom he gave us.
Beloved, do not trust every spirit
but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God,
because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
This is how you can know the Spirit of God:
every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh
belongs to God,
and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus
does not belong to God.
This is the spirit of the antichrist
who, as you heard, is to come,
but in fact is already in the world.
You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them,
for the one who is in you
is greater than the one who is in the world.
They belong to the world;
accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world,
and the world listens to them.
We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us,
while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us.
This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.
We receive from him whatever we ask,
because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
And his commandment is this:
we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,
and love one another just as he commanded us.
Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them,
and the way we know that he remains in us
is from the Spirit whom he gave us.
Beloved, do not trust every spirit
but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God,
because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
This is how you can know the Spirit of God:
every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh
belongs to God,
and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus
does not belong to God.
This is the spirit of the antichrist
who, as you heard, is to come,
but in fact is already in the world.
You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them,
for the one who is in you
is greater than the one who is in the world.
They belong to the world;
accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world,
and the world listens to them.
We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us,
while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us.
This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.
Retrieved on: January 8th from: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010713.cfm
Remember, 2/3 will be sent to God, while 1/3 will go to Satan. May God Bless you!
Remember, 2/3 will be sent to God, while 1/3 will go to Satan. May God Bless you!
