Win-Win Decision
Moses said to the people: "And now, Israel, what does the LORD, your God, ask of you but to fear the LORD, your God, and follow his ways exactly, to love and serve the LORD, your God, with all your heart and all your soul, to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD which I enjoin on you today for your own good? (Deuteronomy 10:12-13)
Often, we view laws and commandments of the Lord are there to make life more difficult; however, it’s not so. Moses, in Deuteronomy 10:13, tells us that the commandments and statutes of the LORD are there for our own good! “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye. (Psalms 19:8-9) God’s laws and commandments tell us what is right and what is wrong in this life. They act as a compass and a guide for us so that we will know how to live and act in this life for the Lord and to serve others. They are AGAIN, all being given to us for our own good and for our own protection, and that of others, for without them, we would just keep falling into one pit after another. “He digs a hole and bores it deep, but he falls into the pit he has made. (Psalms 7:16)
St. Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941), Priest and Martyr, gave us clear example of how to follow the foot step of the Lord. He was imprisoned in Auschwitz during the Second World War, he offered himself, out of LOVE for God, in exchange for the father of a large family who was to be executed. He was given a lethal injection when he failed to die fast enough from starvation in the concentration camp. He gave up his life to safe life! This heroic act of sacrifice not only saved his life eternally but also the life of his neighbor. It’s a “win-win” decision. Wasn’t it?
Am I following the commandments of the Lord lately?
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself? (Luke 9:25)
O God, who filled the Priest and Martyr Saint Maximilian Kolbe with a burning love for the Immaculate Virgin Mary and with zeal for souls and love of neighbor, graciously grant, through his intercession, that striving for your glory by eagerly serving others, we may be conformed, even until death, to your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. (Collect Prayer on Memorial of St. Maximilian Kolbe)
Mary Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Hail Mary full of grace…
I invite you to make some small sacrifices for peace today.
Peace always,
Father Vincent Vuong Nguyen