A WORD FOR TODAY 7 AUGUST 2023

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*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*SET THE RIGHT PRIORITIES*

_In those days: the people of Israel also wept again, and said, “O that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic (Numbers 11:4‭b-‬5) ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬_

_*Priorities affect our thoughts which grow into our desires. It affects the sacrifices we are ready to make in order to get one thing before another. Our set goals in life can make us overlook our current pain and take risks to attain success.*_

_In the passage quoted above, we can say the priorities of the children of God at that point in time was misplaced. We can read their affection for bondage over the freedom God was giving them. They wanted meat and cucumber so they began to nurse thoughts of preference for the bondage they endured in Egypt._

_*Notice that God did not leave them without provision. He gave them manna which was enough to sustain them through the hard times. But no, they wanted melons. in the following verses we see how ungrateful they had become. They downplayed manna: “but now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.” (Numbers 11:6)*_

_Dear friend, let us set our priorities right and be alert to manage the gifts, talents, relationships and every good thing God has provided with which we can move forward in life. The worst thing a Christian can do is not to put his spiritual life as first on the list, when our relationship with God is the basis on which we hope to get ahead in this world or in the next._

_*In the gospel we see a better attitude. The followers of Jesus follow Jesus without care of what to eat. It was Jesus and the disciples who raised the concern and provided for them by miracle. If we focus on the kingdom of God, God is ready to supply the rest.*_

_Today and for the rest of our lives, let us keep the attitude that wins. Let us set our priorities well and keep focus to achieve our goals. Let us always put God first and then all the other important things that follow. Let us be ready to make sacrifices. Let us be ready to suffer now and enjoy tomorrow. O that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! (Psalms 81:13)_

_Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have a beautiful day. May Jesus give you the grace to set the right priorities and sacrifice for your them. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen._

*Meditation:* Numbers 11:4b-15 /Psalm 81:12-13.14-15.16-17/
Matthew 14:13-21

_*Watch-Word:* Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God._

_*Set the right priorities and focus on the help God has given you to meet up with them.*_

(Monday of the eighteenth week in the ordinary time.)

*© Rev. Fr. Augustine Eleke*