A WORD FOR TODAY 25 JULY 2022

*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*USE YOUR POSITION IN LIFE TO HELP OTHERS*

_"It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”(Matthew 20:26-28)_

_*Who you are and the status or position you occupy does not really matter, but what you do with your position here on earth really matters a lot*._

_The Mother of James and John approached Jesus in the gospel reading of today and prayed for consideration to be given to her sons in God's kingdom. Her prayer was selfish and not from the heart and immediately Jesus said to her that she does not know what she was asking for._

_*She was focusing on position instead of encouraging them to keep dying everyday for Christ and use their position to serve their brothers and sisters. Our positions here on earth must be used for the good of everyone and not to oppress and subdue others.*_

_As we celebrate the feast of the apostle St. James, we are reminded that we must focus on dying everyday for Christ. We must keep using every opportunity we get to show God's love in humility and win souls for Christ._

_*Aiming to be great in the sight of God and to have a place in His kingdom on the last day comes at a cost. You must be ready to pay the supreme price which St. James paid, he gave his life for the sake Christ and for the salvation of souls.*_

_Wherever God has placed you today in terms of status and position, it is for a purpose, use it in humility to help others. Do more good everyday, touch lives positively and make impact in people and in the world and your reward will be great in heaven. If you want to outshine others and to be better than others, let it be in doing good and helping others to be better at all times._

_*Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have a lovely day and a blessed new week. May Jesus give you the grace to use your position for the good of others around you. Amen. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* 2 Corinthians 4:7-15/Psalm 126:1-6/Matthew 20:20-28

*Watch-Word:* Those who are sowing in tears will rejoice when they reap.

*You are carrying God's treasure in you, break yourself open so that others will benefit from the gift you possess.*

(Monday of the seventeenth week in the ordinary time. Year II. Feast of St. James Apostle)

*© Rev. Fr. Augustine Eleke*