Covenant with God (1 Mc 2:20,22) by Deacon Bob Waller

26 Apr Covenant with God (1 Mc 2:20,22) by Deacon Bob Waller

I and my sons and brothers will live by the covenant of our fathers. We will not obey the king’s words by turning aside from our religion. ~ 1 Mc 2:20,22
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Reflection: Mattathias, patriarch of the Maccabees, refuses to obey the demands of the king which would violate the Law, the religion of his fathers. If he had taken the easy path, and gone along with the sacrilegious behavior, he and his family would have won the king’s favor and would have been enriched with material wealth. Instead, Mattathias and his sons remain true to the Covenant with God, challenge the people to remain loyal to God, flee from their home, leaving behind’s all their possessions. This prompts me to ask, how many times in our lives do we take the easy path, avoiding possible criticism and ridicule from those around us in the workplace or in our social gatherings? Have we failed to defend what is right because it might cause us some loss of favor with those around us? As society attacks the sanctity of life and the institution of marriage, using a misguided argument of “rights” for all, do we remain silent? Is our commitment to our faith not strong enough to lead us to speak out and to take action? Lord, forgive me when I have denied You through my inaction and my silence. Help me to use Your grace to be Your instrument in all that I say and do.
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Challenge: In our prayers, rather than giving God our list of wants, seek above all else to know His Will and to have the strength to do it…He knows what is best for us.
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Pray LIFE Runners Creed to end abortion. 
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Inspiration: “God does not demand that I be successful. God demands that I be faithful. When facing God, results are not important. Faithfulness is what is important.” ~ Blessed Mother Teresa