The Word of God is being proclaimed here and now, it is he who speaks to us now. The phrase “I am the Lord” means that God must have first place in our heart, the heart of your family. But is this happening?
How often do we put God in reserve! How often do people say they have faith but do not have a hierarchy of values, they have God first, but places so many things in ahead of Him!
If God does not occupy the first place in my heart, I will not know love my neighbor. The man who has God first in his life will know how to love his wife. If the Lord does not occupy the first place in your life, He will not take the first place in your child’s life.
Mothers who pray for their children are mothers who, emptying himthemselves of themselves, give room for God in their lives.
In the Gospel, we see that these people should be concerned about the temple, but did not respect it. Jesus is the Temple, He is the One who came to bring us life. We must respect the house of God and show it by attitudes.
“We preach Christ risen,” said St. Paul; this means that in baptism we are immersed in the Passion, Death and Resurrection of the Lord, therefore, since our baptism, we are invited to live in Christ. Let’s walk with Him and carry our cross.
Mother, you are suffering? Your suffering is not in vain, your tears are not in vain, you are participating in the redeeming Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
We all go through difficult times. We all experience disappointment, heartbreak, and everything is counted within the shed Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Your suffering, the feelings you can not even express is participation in the redeeming cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. So do not lose hope. His tears and his sufferings are worth the salvation of his son. God directs your history, to you continue obedience, hope and persistence in your faith.
Despite the difficulties, we have not lost the joy, because we know in whom to believe. Jesus is the revelation of the merciful love of the Father. He is the strength for all of us, the cross reminds me I need to experience difficulties with joy.
Put God first means to live in the footsteps of Jesus. My steps in the footsteps of Jesus; my heart in the heart of Jesus.
Bishop Luiz Mancilha