It is said that the toughest people to reach in sharing our faith and love for the Lord our God is family. Why so? Well for one, everyone in the family thinks they truly know all there is to know about us. Secondly everyone, expecially family should have their own choice on how they to live their lives. Third and finally perhaps there was no foundation laid down in the early years where family pays together and worship as one.
We are not called to lead ordinary Christian lives and values, we are called to lead extraordinary, exceptional Christian lives! We must live as our Lord lived, love as He loved and in a sense die as He willingly laid down His life for us. Only then will our families and our friends eyes be opened to see the wonders of His love through us by our whole life, lived in His presence.
Therefore whether it is family, close friend or an acquaintance, we must be very patient, gentle, loving and constantly keeping them in prayer. Lifting them up to the Lord and allowing Him to lead us; and for Him to provide an opportunity for us to share His love with them. All in His time…..
Lord Jesus I place all my trust in You. Amen
First reading
2 Kings 19:9-11,14-21,31-36
The Lord protects Jerusalem from Sennacherib and the AssyriansSennacherib, King of the Assyrians, sent messengers to Hezekiah saying, ‘Tell this to Hezekiah king of Judah, “Do not let your God on whom you are relying deceive you, when he says: Jerusalem shall not fall into the power of the king of Assyria. You have learnt by now what the kings of Assyria have done to every country, putting them all under the ban. Are you likely to be spared?”’
Hezekiah took the letter from the hands of the messenger and read it; he then went up to the Temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. Hezekiah said this prayer in the presence of the Lord, ‘O Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, enthroned on the cherubs, you alone are God of all the kingdoms of the earth, you have made heaven and earth.‘Give ear, Lord, and listen.
Open your eyes, Lord, and see.
Hear the words of Sennacherib
who has sent to insult the living God.‘It is true, O Lord, that the kings of Assyria have exterminated all the nations, they have thrown their gods on the fire, for these were not gods but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, and hence they have destroyed them. But now, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, I pray you, and let all the kingdoms of the earth know that you alone are God, the Lord.’
Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah. ‘The Lord, the God of Israel,’ he said, ‘says this, “I have heard the prayer you have addressed to me about Sennacherib king of Assyria.” Here is the oracle that the Lord has pronounced against him:‘“She despises you, she scorns you,
the virgin, daughter of Zion;
she tosses her head behind you,
the daughter of Jerusalem.”
‘This, then, is what the Lord says about the king of Assyria:
‘“He will not enter this city,
he will let fly no arrow against it,
confront it with no shield,
throw up no earthwork against it.
By the road that he came on he will return;
he shall not enter this city. It is the Lord who speaks.
I will protect this city and save it
for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David.”’That same night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. Sennacherib struck camp and left; he returned home and stayed in Nineveh.
Gospel
Matthew 7:6,12-14
Treat others as you would like them to treat youJesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls in front of pigs, or they may trample them and then turn on you and tear you to pieces.
‘So always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets.
‘Enter by the narrow gate, since the road that leads to perdition is wide and spacious, and many take it; but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.’
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