“No one can serve two masters for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other.

Personally, I feel the scripture verse relates to making responsible choices.

Choices that are going to benefit not only me but also the people around me.

 However the question is what truly influences our choices?

Is it what is our intrinsically advantageous to our situation or does it value add for other people?

Is it morally responsible or does it disadvantage, hurt or embarrass others in anyway?

Hence, we are challenged by Jesus to think about our words and actions before we engage because what we do either indirectly or directly effects others. There will be consequences do they outweigh the decisions we make?

Jesus said, “You cannot serve God and wealth for us I believe it is what motivates us in the choices we make.

In last week’s Gospel, Matthew, 5-17-37, Jesus extols us to demonstrate good judgment in our words and actions. Jesus’ message is that we can accomplish this by treating each other with respect and dignity.

But the question is how do we exhibit this daily when we feel we have been treated unfairly or unappreciated?

I believe to overcome this challenge we need to display tolerance in all   situations otherwise we can jump to conclusions and leave ourselves open to acting unfairly. Additionally, we can be perceptive and perhaps prevent unrest before it occurs. Furthermore, it is important to bring prior knowledge and understanding to every circumstance that will lead us to achieving a successful outcome.

Hence we answer Jesus’ call by thinking not acting and seeking justice for all God’s creatures.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 5:3

Who are the poor in the spirit and what characteristics do they possess that give them a direct passage to the kingdom of heaven.

People who are poor in spirit possess the quality of humility. Humility reflects a modesty where witness your achievements through your actions rather than recounting to everyone your wonderful deeds.

Furthermore they are people who are approachable because they do not judge, act tactfully and treat everyone the same. Hence, through their willingness to forgive and being open to accepting others they are embracing both humanity and God.

If everyone were humble there would be no conflict but only peace in our world.

 As the famous song goes ‘There are two paths you can by but in the long run there still time to change the road your on.”

I often think there are times in our lives that there are important decisions that  you have make. The question is how do I make the right decision?

I believe when you are making these decisions it is important to not only assess how that decision is going to benefit myself but how it will impact upon others.If the decision only benefits me and is harmful to others then I cannot go along this path. However if the decision is beneficial to others as well as me than my decision is already made for me.

 There is also another factor that can influence our decision-making circumstances that force us into immediate action. For example, in this week’s Gospel Jesus says, “Keep awake therefore, for you do know on what day your Lord is coming.”(Matthew: 24-42). The message I take from Jesus is that if you are ready or able to predict possible outcomes that no matter the circumstances you can make decisions that will enable you to achieve positive outcomes.

Ultimately, however the decision rests with you.

 I believe people just get talking and they find they have common interests and from the initial meeting they begin a friendship. From there when you spend time together you have great conversations and enjoy each other’s company. However that friendship entails a commitment continue to meet, talk to each other in person, online or over the phone no matter where you are.

 I believe there are also some conditions to being a friend.Some who were your willing to share your life with, that includes sharing your stories, your possessions and encouragement that helps each other through the good times and the times that you struggle.

A friendship is moreover hard work because of the time you spend with each other. Sometimes you agree and sometimes you are challenged by what friend may say or do those conflicts with your own beliefs and actions. Sometimes you have expectations and sometimes you may just need to ask.

 The bottom line is you just need someone to trust with your hopes, dreams and disappointments. Someone who will always believe in you even when you have stopped believing. That is what a true friend is.

 I often ask myself what motivates me to do things? Is it a passion, curiosity or just the need to get something done?

 In this weeks Gospel, Luke 20-20-26 the Pharisees send out spies to question Jesus on who they should pay taxes to the Emperor or not.

 Jesus says, “Give to the Emperor the things that are the Emperor’s and God the things that are God’s

 I believe what Jesus is stating is never take your eyes off the prize. In other words don’t curtail your passion or beliefs because once you do they become someone else’s. Furthermore they stifle not only who you are as a person but your work and pleasure in everyday life. For it is not everybody else you should be pleasing but God. Additionally, when you please God you end up pleasing others but more importantly yourself.

The Gospel reading for this Sunday is the story of Zacchaeus.The story demonstrates how Jesus reached out to the most unlikely of his followers, Zacchaeus a wealthy tax collector. I believe that Jesus’ act of kindness led to Zacchaeus reciprocating with generosity towards the poor and those that he defrauded.

Hence, when we reach out to someone who least expects it their gratitude exceeds our expectations.  For example, last year I received a gift from a parent whose child I had assisted with their learning throughout the year.

I did not expect this token of appreciation but because of my work both the child and parent wanted to extend their thanks. It goes to show that one act of kindness creates another.

 Furthermore, Jesus says the “Son of Man came to seek out and save the lost.” I believe this is a challenge for all of us to acknowledge those at the margins and assist them whenever we can rather than ignore them.The message  is said by Saint Francis who said,

“It is in giving that we receive.”

 How many times do we think we are right and everybody else is wrong?

We can even justify our actions and attack those who don’t accept our point of view. I often reflect after having a difference of opinion with others was it because I was thinking of my own agenda and what outcome would benefit me or would achieve the best outcome for all.

In the “Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector”, (Luke 18:9-14) the Pharisee boasts about how he serves God of how honest and generous he is to the poor and the Church. Contrastingly the Tax Collector asks God for mercy for he accepts he is a sinner and sometimes fails to do the right thing by himself and others. Hence I believe he is the more honest one as he acknowledges and seeks forgiveness for his faults rather than laud his successes.

 Furthermore this parable is more than just about humility I believe it is about how we deal with the situations and people that challenge you and the way you overcome them. The Pharisee centred on himself and his achievements while the Tax Collector did not play the blame game but was aware that he needed God’s help to become a better person so that he could make a difference in the lives of other.  For me this is a battle I face every day.

In Luke’s Gospel 17:11-19, “Jesus Cleanses the Ten Lepers”, it is the one leper from Samaria that comes back to Jesus to thank him despite all the being healed.

Jesus responds by saying “Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”

I often ponder on two points in this story.

To be thankful for what we have and know and that it is important to share this with others even if may just be a simple thank you.

 Furthermore it is to acknowledge the person who has done something for you.

This may lead to a relationship with that person or continue to build a stronger relationship with people who are in your life.

 When we take our possessions and relationshps for granted this when we become selfish and the possibilities for growth in our relationships diminish.

This hinders us from greater happiness in our lives.

 So the message is “If the only prayer we ever pray is ‘thank you’, it is enough.  Meister Echart”

 Recently I was struck by a news story where Pope Francis came out and said that he was a sinner. For me more importantly he didn’t take the moral high ground of using the Pope’s infallibility to validate his daily decisions but instead reflected that the choices he makes do affect others lives.

 I thought what great leadership as by doing this it was challenging all people particularly Catholics to question our daily decisions. How often do I think about how my words and actions can impact on others lives? Maybe next time I need to stop and think before I act or open my mouth because once I have done that I don’t want to regret it but feel what I do contributes positively to someone else’s life.

So thanks to Pope Francis I now realize everything I do has an influence on someone or something hence it is not just about me.

 As the Scripture says: In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; Matthew 7:12