A WORD FOR TODAY 22 AUGUST 2022

*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE FOR THE BETTER*

_“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in."(Matthew 23:13)_

_*The way you live your life and the kind of attitude you express will either make people to be attracted to you and want to be with you or they will stay far away from you especially when it is toxic full of jealousy, malice and wickedness.*_

_The Pharisees are known as a people of the law. They know what the law says in and out and they apply this law for the people, but they themselves are very far from keeping the law. Their attitude is hypocritical and that is why Jesus did not hesitate to hit out at them in the gospel reading of today._

_*He called them blind guides who try to lead others, but they fail to do the things they want others to do. They block the way to the kingdom of God, they do not want to go in and they will not allow others to go in either. This is not a good attitude and it destroys and make people worse than they were when they came to accept their way of life.*_

_We could see a different attitude from the people of Thessalonia whom Paul was addressing in the first reading. He commended them for the growth in their faith and the love they show to each other. They have shown resilience and perseverance in faith inspite of all the challenges that they are passing through. They believed in God and they do everything to give Him praise and honour with their lives._

_*The readings of today challenge us to make a thorough assessment of the kind of behaviour we exhibit, whether it is Christ-like in nature or toxic like that of the Scribes and Pharisees mentioned in the gospel. If the latter is the case, then you must make sincere effort to change your ways and become a better person.*_

_Today the Church celebrates the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a memorial that reminds us that Mary was crowned the quuen of heaven after her assumption into heaven as we see in the fifth glorious mystery of the Rosary. She is a queen with twelve stars on her crown. She merited it through her lifestyle and love for God and humanity, She said yes to God, became the vessel of honour that God used to bring His Son our Lord Jesus Christ into the world. She honoured God with her life and service with full devotion and commitment and God has given her honour at last in heaven._

_*We must learn from the Blessed Virgin Mary to be of good behaviour as we journey in life and to change our attitude for the better, so that when our work is done, we shall be admitted into heaven where we shall be honoured. We must also let Our Lady be the queen of our heart and life and in that way her maternal care and intercession will always be assured for us.*_

_Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have a beautiful day. May Jesus give you the grace to keep doing what is right always. Amen. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5,11-12/Psalm 96:1-5/Matthew 23:13-22

*Watch-Word:* Proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the people.

*God loves us and if we love well for Him and humanity, He will honour us in the end as He honoured the blessed virgin mary.*

(Monday of the twentieth week in the ordinary time. Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.)

*© Rev. Fr. Augustine Eleke*