Lifestyles we are called to

Readings for Friday January 9, 2009

First Reading:  1 John 5:5-13

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 147

Gospel:  5:12-16

Certain TV shows like "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" and "MTV Cribs" seek to glamorize the life of celebrities and those who are wealthy.  Many times when watching these shows people become envious and think to themselves, "man those people have it made."  Most people who watch these shows will spend their entire lives dreaming of something that is not real and is not what they are meant to have.  It is sad that our culture seems to associate having a good life with the amount of stuff that you have.  While the idea that things and stuff will make us happy may work for a little while, this feeling of happiness quickly goes away.  The truth is that we don't need million dollar mansions or fancy sports cars, all we need is the free and abundant love of our God, which is offered to us every single day.   

In today's first reading Saint John specifically rebuttals this idea.  Saint John tells us, "Whoever possesses the Son has life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life."  Jesus came to give us life, not things.  He came to show us and teach us how to live a life for and with the Father.  Imagine if when the man with leprosy in today's gospel came to Jesus asking for healing; but was instead given a bag of gold or a fancy new robe that was the latest fashion craze at the time.  Do you think that he would have been satisfied?  Absolutely not!  Because this man knew that Jesus came to offer something more than physical things, He came to offer a new life!  That is exactly what Jesus gave to this man, new life.   

May we always remember that we are not called to comfy and easy lifestyles, but rather to challenging and hard lifestyles that have a great reward at the end.  May we always strive to do the will of our Father in Heaven and to be open to the peace and joy that comes with a life with Him.  I pray that each of us may continue to say yes to God in our lives and to do His will over our own.  

So "champagne wishes and caviar dreams!"   

Father above, we thank you for this gift of this day.  Lord, help increase our faith and hope in you so that we may continue to persevere against this world and to live the lives that you call us to.  Lord, we pray for all those suffering from violence in this world, and for the conversion of all who do not believe.  We ask this all through Christ our Lord.  Amen.