“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.” (Mt 6:33) 

It is not a deal, a business. It is a consequence. If we put our concern first to God and His kingdom, we will see the world from a different perspective. I stop seeing the things I MUST get – and begin to see the things that are important. God is so simple: He is love. And love is simple. So with Him also our needs become simpler, because we know what is essential. We become more free. 

“Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age, says the Lord” (Mt 28:20) – Communion Antiphon

“…anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Mk 10:15)

How difficult it is for us to be “like a little child.” The only way for me to be “like a child” is to let a child lead me while playing together. Of course you will draw all the attention of other people, but the child you are playing with will not even notice that.

Praying doesn’t mean a serious face, proper gesture, nice sentences… A prayer is: “it is so good to be with You, Lord”, “I love You”, “help me”, “thank You”, “Please…” and all the other words we use to address a living Person.

“Let my prayer come like incense before you” (Ps 141:2)

“They were putting him to the test.” (Mk 10:2)

“Putting him to test”. Human nature. From the beginning: testing God. Is He really a Father? Does He really take care of us? Is He…? Or maybe it is not our nature but the devil? Putting Him to the test in the beginning, now putting my loved ones to the test as well.

Whom do we trust? We have God’s Word and our doubts. “The Lord is kind and compassionate” (James 5:11). We can follow Him or …?

“Your word, O Lord, is truth: consecrate us in the truth” (Alleluia versus)

“Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, i say to you, will surely not lose his reward.” (Mk 9:41)

A simple gesture. “A cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ … will… not lose his reward”. He takes care of us. He knows about our needs. And He will take care of them. Even such simple things like a cup of water to drink.

There is only one IF. If people can recognize you belong to Christ.

So IF you received a cup of water to drink, or a breakfast, or dinner or anything else just because you belong to Christ – be sure that the people who helped you will not lose their reward. And knowing Him, you should remember His proportions – “will receive a hundred times as much, and also inherit eternal life” (Mt 19:29).

“Receive the word of God, not as the word of men, but as truly is, the word of God” (Alleluia versus)

“If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that” (James 4:15)

“To do this or that” is always connected with the Lord’s will. And His will is so simple: to love one another. This should be our daily concern. To love my wife or husband every day, with gentleness and respect; examining my own conscience, not that of the spouse – do I express my love in what I do, have I given everything from myself today?

“If the Lord wills it, we shall live”. What we have is only today to express our love. Not during the weekend. Not even tomorrow. Only today we have a chance to do Our Lord’s will.

“I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.” (Alleluia versus)

“Wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits…” (James 3:15)

From above. So it is grace, not only my dream. Salomon asked for wisdom not for riches. When we pray for that kind of wisdom, we can change the whole world, and especially our marriage and family life. Peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy – we can bring the fruit of peace and growth.

“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple”. (Ps 19)

“You must therefore be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt 5:48)

Impossible. Being even “just as Jesus” is impossible. So… Why did Jesus say: you must?

If we think about perfection in terms of our action, hard work, many efforts – then it is impossible. When perfection is to be with Him, allow Him to live in me like in a God’s temple – “for the temple of God, which you are, is holy” (Cor 3:17) – it is realistic, it is possible. As a temple is not holy because of its stones, architecture, material or equipment, but it is holy because it is His temple. 

“Whoever keeps the word of Christ, the love of God is truly perfected in him” (Alleluia versus).

“Then Simon Peter spoke up and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’

Jesus replied, … you are Peter and on this rock I will build my community. And the gates of the underworld can never overpower it.” (Mt 16:16-18).

You are the Christ – you are Peter, the rock. The dialogue. The true dialog.

To understand ourselves, to find our identity we need to recognize Him. If Christ is recognized, invited, if He is first in my life, I can recognize my identity, my vocation. And be whoever He wants.

“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want” (Ps 23, 1)

“As a body without a spirit is dead, so is faith without deeds”. (James 2:26)

It is like telling somebody “I love you” and ignoring this person totally. Faith needs deeds. Like love needs honesty, respect, gentleness, gifts, time to be together, dialogue and chastity.

My actions show His presence in my life.

When I am in my collar or my cassock, when my marriage ring is on my finger, the picture of my beloved in my wallet or on the wallpaper of my desktop, I am telling everybody, to whom I belong. My faith brings fruit.

“It was not you who chose me, says the Lord, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last” (Communion Antiphon, cf. Jn 15:16)

“Who do you say I am?” (Mt 16:15)

A question for You and me. A question for today and for tomorrow. It needs an answer. When I am alone and when people are around me. Is He really my Messiah? Christ? Master? Redeemer?

Peter answered correctly and at the same time didn’t accept the consequences. The same happens to me. Today I ask St. Peter for help. He knows how difficult it could be. He’ll help.

“Be my protector, O God, a mighty stronghold to save me. For you are my rock, my stronghold! Lead me, guide me, for the sake of your name.” Entrance Antiphon Cf. Ps 31(30): 3-4