TOP PRIORITY

There are many distractions all around us. Whether we admit or not, we too succumb to it and sometimes fail to act in accordance to what is right. We need to know what our priorities are in life. It is of prime importance that we know what needs to be on top of our list because everything else will come second and just trail behind. What we focus on grows. It surely helps to always think about what is written in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Thus today's 1st reading also leaves us with a very important word of advice that we really ought to take seriously and act on. Amen. Hallelujah! Acts 6:1-7 ...the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. 3 Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, 4 whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” If we always focus on the Lord and put His words in our presence at all times then we can be assured that we have a lamp unto our feet that is lighting our path. Amen. Hallelujah! Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19 R: Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. ...Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. 5 He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full. (R) 18 See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, 19 to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine... Sometimes we fail to grasp the full extent of God's power thus we don't recognize God working in our lives through the scary things happening in our lives. We tend to be disheartened right away and focus on our fears instead of focusing on Jesus who can conquer all. There are 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit as stated in Isaiah 11:1-2, The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, A spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, ..." And another from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1831) which says, "The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord." God has given us a spirit of courage and strength (fortitude) that there is no reason for us to cower in fear for it is written in the bible, "Do not be afraid." as stated in the gospel reading for today. Amen. Hallelujah! Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 6,16-21. ...they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, "It is I. Do not be afraid."...