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Deriving Satisfaction from Doing the Right Thing

1st READING

Today’s reading reminds us to do good while we can and not delay, for we may not get another
opportunity. A materialistic and hedonist person seeks earthly rewards in the here and now; the rewards
of a virtuous life are in heaven. The saints derive satisfaction from doing the right thing — like them, may
we also find consolation in doing good.

Proverbs 3:27-34

Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him.  29 [28] Say not to your neighbor,
28 [27] 

“Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give,” when you can give at once. 30 [29] Plot no evil against your neighbor, against one
who lives at peace with you. 31 [30] Quarrel not with a man without cause, with one who has done you no harm. 32 [31] Envy not
the lawless man and choose none of his ways. 33 [32] To the Lord the perverse one is an abomination, but with the upright is
his friendship. 34 [33] The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but the dwelling of the just he blesses. 35 [34] When
dealing with the arrogant, he is stern, but to the humble he shows kindness.

PSALM

Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 5

R: The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.

He who walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart 3 and slanders not with his tongue. (R) Who
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harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; 4 by whom the reprobate is despised, while he
honors those who fear the Lord. (R) 5 Who lends not his money at usury and accepts no bribe against the innocent. He who
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does these things shall never be disturbed. (R)

GOSPEL

Those who have been transformed by the Gospel desire to share the Good News of salvation with others.
Jesus tells us that having been touched by the Gospel compels us to share it, so that other people may
also be touched by its message. Let’s commit to live out the Gospel teachings and allow it to change us
for the better.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.

Luke 8:16-18

Jesus said to the crowd: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a
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lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. 17 For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing
secret that will not be known and come to light. 18 Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given,
and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

think: What are the gifts that God has given you? How do you use these gifts?

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T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for:

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Read the Bible in one year Isaiah 61-63

To get a physical copy of today's reflections, please click on this link.

Didache | Companion | Sabbath | Top

SABBATH

BLESSINGS OR NO BLESSINGS
“Envy not the lawless man and choose none of his ways; to the Lord the perverse man is an
abomination but with the upright is his friendship.”

Sometimes we wish these words from the Book of Proverbs were that simple. The Holy Book
says the lawless is an abomination to the Lord but sometimes it’s difficult not to envy the
lawless, especially when the lawless seems to prosper even if the Bible says he is an
abomination. This is difficult to see when our criteria for abomination and prosperity are only
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on the surface level — the material and the physical.

While it is true that prosperity and blessings come with living according to the ways of God,
the prosperity promised to the just is a prosperity that exists at the deepest level. It is a
friendship and prosperity that can also exist amidst, alongside of, and despite the greatest
suffering. In a similar vein, the abomination promised to the perverse is an abomination at the
deepest level, an abomination that can coexist alongside of and despite the greatest temporal
success. That is frightening. Temporal success can blind one to the internal abomination that
is really going on in one’s soul, in one’s inner life. That is why God tells us not to envy the
lawless.

There’s a famous American actor who is good-looking, with a beautiful wife and children. He’s
a star of a TV sitcom, which reportedly pays him a million dollars per episode. Several years
back, he checked into a rehab center for drug and sex addictions. His home studio cancelled
his contract and his wife and children left him. He would pay sexual partners as many as five a
night to accompany him during his lonely nights. He looked blessed on the outside, but inside
he was cursed. When you have to pay for companionship, that’s as lonely as one can get. Fr.
Joel O. Jason

------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS -------

Are you given to envy to the point that you actually envy the lawless? How much do you persevere in
pursuing the good?

Lord Jesus, in the presence or absence of material blessings, I journey on the path of Your
righteousness. Bless my resolve, Lord. Amen.