Being great in the sight of the Lord

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Advent Season :  3rd Week : New Liturgical Year : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Lk 1:5-25*

*First Reading : Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a*

*Being great in the sight of the Lord*

*1) John was great in the Sight of the Lord*

This is one of the best compliments a person can earn in ones life 

The Gospel of the day speaks about the birth of John. In this context the Gospel says *he will be great in the sight of the Lord.*

This particular phrase also speaks about the person and his integrity in everything

*2) The contribution of the Family*

John, to earn such a great title, the contribution of the family also remarkable

The Gospel speaks about the family of John in the following way *Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.*

This shows the contribution of the family in earning the great title for John

*3) The Life of John* 

To earn such a great title the person also have to have certain qualities. John had the following qualities

Man of integrity

Man of prayer 

Man of discipline

Man of simplicity 

Man of courage

Man of God 

Man of justice

Man of right conviction

Man of fasting 

Man of penance

Such qualities enabled John to earn the great title in the sight of God

*4) Temptation to become great in the sight of the World*

There is a great temptation to all of us, to become great in the sight of the World 

Becoming great in the sight of the World, gives us happiness for a short period of time 

The world runs after the material things which makes people great in the sight of the World

The greatness which contains in the material things does not help us in a any way, to become great in the sight of the Lord 

*5) Where does my greatness contains?*

Some peoples greatness contains in beauty, money, power, pleasure, qualification, degrees, knowledge, position etc 

In what things my greatness consists? 

Spiritual things 

Service to the needy and poor

Forgiveness

Humility

Simplicity 

The practice of these things in our life will make us great in the sight of the Lord

The choice is yours 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*