“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the Law and the Prophets."
(Matthew 7:12)
We should be very discerning about sharing the gospel, understanding the value of sacred teachings, and the need to protect them from being disrespected or misused. Not everyone is ready or willing to receive spiritual truths, and sharing them indiscriminately can lead to rejection or hostility.
We should treat others with the same kindness and respect we desire. It is a call to proactive goodness, not just avoiding harm. A foundational guideline for building healthy, respectful, and loving relationships.
The narrow gate represents the challenging path of discipleship, requiring commitment and perseverance. It contrasts the ease of following the broad path, which leads to destruction, with the narrow path that leads to life, emphasizing the importance of making wise, deliberate choices.
These teachings collectively encourage us to be wise in our interactions, live ethically, and commit to the challenging yet rewarding path of following Christ. They remind us of the importance of discernment, the value of ethical behavior, and the necessity of dedication in our spiritual journey.
6 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces. 12 “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets. 13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. 14 How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:6, 12-14)
In sharing the gospel, be wise and discerning, Sacred teachings hold value, deserving our yearning. Not all hearts are ready, not all ears will hear, Indiscriminate sharing may bring rejection or fear. Treat others with kindness, respect in your stride, Proactive goodness, let love be your guide. Build relationships healthy, respectful, and true, For what you desire, let it first come from you. The narrow gate calls, a path hard and steep, Discipleship’s journey, commitment to keep. Contrasting the broad way, easy yet dire, The narrow path leads to life, lifting us higher. These teachings remind us, be wise in our ways, Live ethically, commit to Christ all our days. Discernment, ethics, dedication in view, A spiritual journey, rewarding and true.
Dear Lord Jesus, grant us the wisdom to be discerning in sharing Your gospel, understanding the sacred value of Your teachings, and the need to protect them from disrespect and misuse. Help us recognize that not everyone is ready or willing to receive spiritual truths, and guide us to share Your word with sensitivity and love. Teach us to treat others with the same kindness and respect we desire, to embody proactive goodness, not just avoiding harm. May we build healthy, respectful, and loving relationships, reflecting Your love and grace in all our interactions.
Lead us through the narrow gate, the challenging path of discipleship, requiring our commitment and perseverance. Help us to resist the ease of the broad path that leads to destruction, and to choose the narrow path that leads to life, making wise and deliberate choices in our journey with You.
These teachings remind us to be wise in our interactions, to live ethically, and to commit to the challenging yet rewarding path of following You. May we always remember the importance of discernment, the value of ethical behavior, and the necessity of dedication in our spiritual journey.
In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
God is faithful to His promises. He hears our prayers and acts according to His will and purpose, often in ways that surpass our understanding. Prayer is a powerful tool for believers. It allows us to communicate with God, express our concerns, and seek His intervention in our lives.
God can intervene in miraculous ways to deliver us from our troubles. We should have faith in His ability to act beyond natural means. In times of crisis, we should trust in God’s sovereignty and seek His guidance, knowing that He is in control of all circumstances.
Pride and arrogance lead to downfall. We should remain humble and recognize that true power and authority belong to God. Our lives and victories should point others to God’s greatness and sovereignty. We are called to live in a way that honors and glorifies Him.
These lessons remind us of the importance of faith, prayer, humility, and reliance on God’s strength. They encourage us to trust in God’s plan and His ability to deliver us from any situation. How do these lessons resonate with your own experiences and faith journey?
9 Sennacherib, king of Assyria, sent envoys to Hezekiah with this message: 10 “Thus shall you say to Hezekiah, king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God on whom you rely deceive you by saying that Jerusalem will not be handed over to the king of Assyria. 11 You have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all other countries: they doomed them! Will you, then, be saved? 14 Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; then he went up to the temple of the Lord, and spreading it out before him, 15 he prayed in the Lord’s presence: “O Lord, God of Israel, enthroned upon the cherubim! You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made the heavens and the earth. 16 Incline your ear, O Lord, and listen! Open your eyes, O Lord, and see! Hear the words of Sennacherib which he sent to taunt the living God. 17 Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands, 18 and cast their gods into the fire; they destroyed them because they were not gods, but the work of human hands, wood and stone. 19 Therefore, O Lord, our God, save us from the power of this man, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, O Lords, are God.” 20 Then Isaiah, son of Amoz, sent this message to Hezekiah: “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, in answer to your prayer for help against Sennacherib, king of Assyria I have listened! 21 This is the word the Lord has spoken concerning him: “‘She despises you, laughs you to scorn, the virgin daughter Zion! Behind you she wags her head, daughter Jerusalem. 31 “‘For out of Jerusalem shall come a remnant, and from Mount Zion, survivors. The zeal of the Lord of hosts shall do this.’ 32 “Therefore, thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: ‘He shall not reach this city, nor shoot an arrow at it, nor come before it with a shield, nor cast up siege-works against it. 33 He shall return by the same way he came, without entering the city, says the Lord. 34 I will shield and save this city for my own sake, and for the sake of my servant David.’” 35 That night the angel of the Lord went forth and struck down one hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. 36 So Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, broke camp, and went back home to Nineveh. (2 Kings 19:9-11, 14-21, 31-35, 36)
In whispers soft, His promises unfold, He hears our prayers, His will untold. Beyond our grasp, His plans take flight, In faith we trust, through day and night. Prayer, our bridge to heaven’s gate,
Where hearts commune, and burdens abate. In every plea, His ear inclined, His love and grace, in prayer we find. Miracles bloom where faith resides, In troubled times, His hand provides. Beyond the natural, His power displayed, In His sovereignty, our fears allayed. Pride and arrogance, paths to fall, Humility, the key to heed His call. True power rests in His command, Our lives, a testament to His grand plan. In every victory, His name we raise, Our lives, a beacon of His praise. Called to honor, glorify His might, In faith and prayer, we find our light. These lessons guide our steps each day, In God’s strength, we find our way. Trust in His plan, His love so true, For He will deliver, and see us through.
Heavenly Father, we come before You, grateful for Your faithfulness to Your promises. You hear our prayers and act according to Your will and purpose, often in ways that surpass our understanding. Thank You for the powerful gift of prayer, which allows us to communicate with You, express our concerns, and seek Your intervention in our lives. Lord, we trust in Your ability to intervene in miraculous ways to deliver us from our troubles. Help us to have unwavering faith in Your power to act beyond natural means. In times of crisis, we seek Your guidance and trust in Your sovereignty, knowing that You are in control of all circumstances. Keep us humble, Lord, and guard us against pride and arrogance, which lead to downfall. Remind us that true power and authority belong to You alone. May our lives and victories point others to Your greatness and sovereignty. We are called to live in a way that honors and glorifies You. These lessons remind us of the importance of faith, prayer, humility, and reliance on Your strength. Encourage us to trust in Your plan and Your ability to deliver us from any situation. May our faith journey be a testament to Your love and faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
True joy and fulfillment comes from being close to God and experiencing His glory. We should always recognize and honor God’s sovereignty in our lives. We can always seek safety and comfort in God, no matter the circumstances. Security and peace comes from His protection and ability to safeguard us from all harm. Let us celebrate and trust in God’s justice, knowing that His ways are always right and fair and share the message of God’s greatness and faithfulness with others, encouraging them to experience His love and protection.
2 Great is the Lord and wholly to be praised in the city of our God. Hisholy mountain, 3 fairest of heights, is the joy of all the earth. (R) Mount Zion, “the recesses of the North,” is the city of the great King. 4 God is with her castles; renowned is he as a stronghold. (R) 10 O God, we ponder your kindness within your temple. 11 As your name, O God, so also your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Of justice your right hand is full. (Psalm 48:2-3, 3-4, 10-11)
True joy and fulfillment, a divine embrace, Found in God’s presence, His glorious grace. We honor His sovereignty, His will we revere, In every moment, His guidance is clear. In God, we find safety, a shelter so warm, Comfort in His arms, through every storm. Security and peace, His protection provides, From all harm and danger, He faithfully guides. Let’s celebrate His justice, His ways always right, In His fairness and truth, we find pure delight. Share the message of His greatness, His love so profound, Encouraging others, in His grace to be found. Experience His love, His protection so grand, In God’s faithful embrace, forever we stand.
Heavenly Father, true joy and fulfillment come from being close to You and experiencing Your glory. We recognize and honor Your sovereignty in our lives, knowing that Your wisdom and guidance are perfect. In every circumstance, we seek safety and comfort in You. Your protection brings us security and peace, safeguarding us from all harm. We celebrate and trust in Your justice, confident that Your ways are always right and fair. Help us to share the message of Your greatness and faithfulness with others, encouraging them to experience Your love and protection. May we always find our strength and hope in You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
Gospel
II: The Proclamation of the Kingdom
PEARLS BEFORE SWINE/THE GOLDEN RULE/THE NARROW GATE
Matthew 7:6-12 / 13-14
First Reading
IV: The Kingdom of Judah after 721 B.C.
HEZEKIAH AND ISAIAH / PUNISHMENT OF SENNACHERIB
2 Kings 19:1-37
Responsorial Psalm
The Second Book of Psalms 42-72
THE SPLENDOR OF THE INVINCIBLE CITY
Psalm 48:1-15
Related Blogs:
https://workthewordofgod.blogspot.com/2024/06/golden-rule.html
https://on-linewithgod.blogspot.com/2024/06/answer-to-prayer-for-help.html
https://essenceofworship.blogspot.com/2024/06/praise-reaches-to-ends-of-earth.html
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
